HC Deb 07 June 1951 vol 488 cc1204-6
21. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps have been taken to implement the Working Party's Report on the Pottery Industry.

Sir H. Shawcross

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of further steps which have been taken, since my predecessor replied to a similar Question by my hon. Friend on 25th October, 1949.

Following is the information:

  1. 1. A total of over £3 million worth of building has been licensed since the war. Of this, over £2 million worth has been completed. Almost all potteries are now equipped with semi-automatic making machinery. About 150 tunnel kilns and ovens have been installed. Manufacturers have, when extending their buildings, used the opportunity to improve their flow production. (Recommendations 1, 7, 9.)
  2. 2. The new Pottery (Health and Welfare) Regulations were introduced in 1950. (Recommendation 2.)
  3. 3. The use of carton packing is increasing and is in fairly general use for certain purposes such as packing tea sets in the industry. (Recommendation 16.)
  4. 4. The establishment of a Development Council is still under discussion. (Recommendation 30.)

22. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken, or is intended, to increase the output of the pottery industry and pro vide the industry with its needs in man power and raw materials.

Sir H. Shawcross

Production capacity is being increased each year by provision of new buildings and modern equipment, and a new factory has been started in Durham. The shortage of lithographs has now been overcome, with the co-operation of the printers. Raw material supplies are for the most part satisfactory but my Department has been assisting with some, notably bone for bone china.

Labour, particularly decorating labour, is still the main limitation on increased output for export. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is co-operating with me in efforts to maintain the skilled labour force of the industry.

Mr. Smith

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that, relatively speaking, the production of pottery is the country's best business proposition? If so, does he not think that a greater attempt than has been made in the past should be made to increase the manpower, and has he given consideration to the need for making an appeal to women who are not making a contribution to do so over a wider area than has been the case up to now?

Sir H. Shawcross

I will certainly give consideration to the last part of my hon. Friend's question. The industry has done very well and we are looking to it for still greater efforts in connection with our export trade.

23. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will work out a system of priority allocation so that when decorative pottery is available for the home market each person and area is treated as fairly as possible.

Sir H. Shawcross

I will bear the suggestion in mind, but it is much too early to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion since there is no present prospect of the restrictions on home sales of decorated pottery being lifted.

Mr. Smith

Will my right hon. Friend also bear in mind, that, in the interests of the country, the people of this country have now been denied decorative pottery for 10 years? When decorative pottery is available, will he see that working-class areas get equal treatment with people who shop in Regent Street and places like that?

Sir H. Shawcross

Yes, Sir. I will certainly have that in mind and I am sure that those who have been unable to get decorative pottery during the last few years will realise the great contribution which the export of that kind of pottery has made to the well-being of the country as a whole.