HC Deb 22 March 1949 vol 463 cc203-4
46. Mr. Erroll

asked the Lord President of the Council what examinations of the woollen industry are at present being carried out by the Committee on Industrial Productivity and its four panels.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

None, Sir. Neither the Committee on Industrial Productivity nor its panels are at present investigating the woollen industry. A preliminary survey of research and development of textile machines, including those used by the woollen industry, is, however, being made.

Mr. Erroll

Would not it be more appropriate for the Committee to investigate the problems of the fibre qualities supplied rather than dealing with the machinery, which must depend on the quality of the fibre supplied?

Mr. Morrison

The Committee has its hands pretty full and there must be a limit to new things to which we ask the Committee to give attention.

Mr. Mikardo

Would my right hon. Friend ask the Committee to look at one small but very vital job, which is the waste and duplication involved in the lack of co-ordination in research programmes as between the Torrington Institute, the Leeds University, the Shirley Institute and one or two other similar institutes?

Mr. Morrison

I will consider that.