§ 10. Commander Donaldsonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the value of textile machinery exported has increased from £40,435,086 in the year 1950 to an amount of £50,446,766 in the year ended 31st December, 1952; and if he will give an assurance that our own textile industry will now have a prior claim on new machines in order that we may compete fairly in the world markets.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am, of course, aware of this welcome increase. While it has been accomplished, the time taken to deliver machinery to our own textile industry has shortened considerably, and there is no need for any special priority arrangement of the kind my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.
§ Commander DonaldsonWill my right hon. Friend not agree that there is reason for concern in the textile industry in that our machines are being exported to our competitors overseas to compete in dollar and other markets, thus leading them to operate that type of machine? Will he make sure our textile manufacturing plants will receive those machines?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI think that those hon. Members in all parts of the House who have textile machinery manufacturers in their constituencies will agree that they are able and willing to handle exports and the re-equipment of the home industry.
§ Mr. HaleWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind and tell his hon. and gallant Friend that there is widespread unemployment in the textile machinery industry now because countries are not able to purchase the exports of textile machinery? It is a very grave problem. So far from restricting exports, we want to increase them.