§ 12. Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount of orders placed for textile 1083 machinery in Lancashire up to 31st December, 1948, which will qualify for subsidy under the Cotton Subsidies Act.
§ Mr. H. WilsonQualification for subsidy under the Cotton Spinning (Re-equipment Subsidy) Act, 1948, is not solely dependent on date of placing orders, though this is one of the conditions. I regret, therefore, that I cannot get any assessment of the amount until claims have been lodged.
§ Mr. HaleWill my right hon. Friend give an indication to the House of the general extent to which advantage is being taken of the provisions of this important Act, and say whether he is satisfied with the amount of orders being placed?
§ Mr. WilsonI think I have already given an indication to the House that I am not satisfied with the rate of orders, or with the use which is being made of this most valuable Act. If the hon. Gentleman wants any more figures, perhaps he will arrange to put down the Question in a different form.
§ Mr. AustinTo avoid the danger of further redundancy in the major factory employed in this industry, will my right hon. Friend convene a meeting of the mill-owners concerned, with a view to expediting the placing of orders in the remaining two months of the subsidy period?
§ Mr. WilsonWe have been putting the most continuous pressure on all the manufacturers in the industry concerned through the Cotton Board.
§ Mr. William ShepherdWill the Minister say what is the least number of spindles he will now accept for subsidy, because obviously the requirement of 400,000 spindles is the sole reason why the response has been so poor?
§ Mr. WilsonAs the hon. Gentleman knows, cases are considered on their merits and the advice of the Cotton Board. I would be glad if the hon. Member would put down a Question on the point he has raised.