HC Deb 20 November 1952 vol 507 cc2038-9
37. Sir E. Keeling

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the estimated value of the flax grown in this country in the present year; and why 100 persons are employed in the directorate of home-grown flax at a cost of £53,097.

Mr. Mackeson

In the current year the Government's Flax Production Scheme is expected to produce flax fibre, by-products and flax seed to the value of £833,000.

Since 1st October, 1951, the staff of the Directorate of Home-Grown Flax has been reduced by 16 to 86, and the cost of it has been reduced accordingly. The Directorate is responsible for the growing of flax and the processing of it in 10 Government-owned mills. Three of these are operated by the Directorate itself, and their supervisory and clerical staff at present numbering 38 are included in the staff of the Directorate.

The examination to which I referred in my answer of 1st August to my hon. Friend the Member for Londonderry (Mr. Well-wood) is expected to result in a further reduction of the number of staff employed in the Directorate.

Mr. Hurd

Can my hon. Friend say when he hopes to be able to hand over the flax industry entirely to commercial enterprise without any Government directorate?

Mr. Mackeson

It has been decided to continue the present plan owing to the dependence of the Ulster industry on the present scheme.

Mr. Stokes

In view of the obscurity of the reply, can the hon. Gentleman say whether, in this context, the reduction means that it will be proportionate to the amount mentioned or not?

Mr. Mackeson

There have been some reductions and we anticipate another small reduction.