§ 10. Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement with regard to the future of, and employment in, the cotton textile industry.
§ Mr. H. StraussI am not at present prepared to make a general statement about the future of the cotton textile industry, but there are welcome signs that the worst of the recession in the textile trades is past.
§ Mr. HaleWould the Parliamentary Secretary say why he is not prepared to make a general statement, in view of the fact that a debate on this matter took place in this House as far back as last February or March? Would he bear in mind that although there are some signs of improvement, in Oldham certainly it is reported that Coronation orders which, are keeping some mills going will be fulfilled before February, which means that some of these mills will be closed? Will he also bear in mind that there is serious unemployment in the engineering industry, particularly in the textile machinery industry, and that this has become a matter of first-class and urgent importance?
§ Mr. StraussI shall certainly bear alt relevant matters in mind, but I do not propose to make any general statement, as I do not think it would be useful at this stage.
§ Mr. OsborneIs the Minister aware that if the Bevanites go on making anti-American speeches we shall not be able to sell textiles in America at all?
§ Mr. S. SilvermanWould the hon. and learned Gentleman say what progress he has made in his investigation of the question of whether Development Area facilities are to be given to this area of Lancashire, which is by no means as optimistic 7 about the recovery in the cotton trade as he is himself?
§ Mr. StraussThe hon. Member has questioned me on an important subject, but it is a different one from that on the Order Paper. Perhaps he will put it down.