HC Deb 22 July 1952 vol 504 cc272-3
40 and 41. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the names, nature and location of Canadian manufacturing companies, firms and partnerships which have branches in Scotland; and how many people each employs;

(2) the names, nature and location of Scottish manufacturing companies, firms and partnerships which have branches in Canada; and how many people each employs.

Mr. H. Strauss

Since the answer is somewhat long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that this matter has been completely neglected since the present Government came into power? It is not even mentioned in the latest Report of Scottish industry in contrast to that for the preceding year which gave plenty of material which could have been followed up. What does the Government intend to do about it?

Mr. Strauss

I have not the slightest idea what the hon. and learned Member means by "this matter." The answer I gave was for the convenience of hon. Members on both sides of the House who have Questions to put to the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. Hughes

On a point of order. The hon. and learned Gentleman has said that he has no idea of what I meant. May I make it clear that I was referring to Scottish trade with Canada?

Following is the answer: So far as I am aware, there are two Canadian companies with factories in Scotland. These are Massey Harris, Limited, manufacturers of agricultural tractors, implements and combine harvesters at Kilmarnock, and Wall Colmonoy (Canada) Limited, manufacturers of corrosion resisting and hard facing alloys at Carfin. The following Scottish companies have subsidiary or associate companies in Canada:—Messrs. Blackwood Morton and Sons, carpet and linoleum manufacturers of Kilmarnock; the Edinburgh Essence Company, manufacturers of flavouring extracts; the Astral Equipment Company and its associates, manufacturers of refrigerators; and Thomas Bonar and Company, an associate of the Low and Bonar group, the Dundee Jute Manufacturers. Information about the numbers employed in each concern is supplied in confidence and cannot he disclosed.