§ 24. Mr. Shephardasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to announce the end of the hosiery control.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI have decided, after discussions with the Hosiery Controller, that the Hosiery Control Office at Leicester may be closed on 31st December. The remaining part of the work will be transferred to the Board of Trade headquarters. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the Hosiery Controller, Mr. Cecil Coleman, who for the last seven years has given his services, and under whose guidance the Control has functioned with the utmost efficiency.
§ Mr. ShephardWhile agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman in his tribute to Mr. Coleman, might I ask him to take steps to ensure that when the remaining parts of this control are transferred to his Department they will be dealt with just as well and as expeditiously as they have been dealt with by the present Hosiery Controller?
§ Mr. WilsonI will try to see that that is done.
§ Mr. HarrisonWill the transfer of the work of the office at Leicester to the Board of Trade headquarters result in any relaxation of control? That would be undesirable in the present circumstances.