HC Deb 07 December 1955 vol 547 cc509-10

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Draft Lace Industry (Scientific Research Levy) Order, 1955, a copy of which was laid before this House on 17th November, be approved.—[Mr. Walker-Smith.]

10.32 p.m.

Mr. James Harrison (Nottingham, North)

I should like to make three or four remarks on this Order, because there are special circumstances in the industry which would warrant such a contribution. Apart from the expenditure of Government funds, it is very important to note that this Order authorises the renewal by the manufacturers of their contributions to the scheme, and the consolidation of these contributions in this Order indicates that this work of scientific research in the industry will continue in future as it has done in the past.

However, one thing which should be mentioned before we agree to the Order is that I know of no other industry in the Midlands which could obtain more benefit from this research work than the lace industry in all its aspects; no other industry is organised in such small-scale units as the lace industry, and because of that the manufacturers themselves will find it very difficult to organise properly any research work.

At present, there has been an easement in demand. Over the years, owing to its bad reputation for employment, the industry has lost many workers. We have now reached the stage at which there is an easing in demand for lace, and there has also been some difficulty in seeking and obtaining sales abroad of this product. I therefore thought it would be seemly for us to put on record the fact that we appreciate the efforts that have been made over the past years in this direction, and we very much welcome the efforts towards research that are to be made in future, because I believe that scientific research will be an essential feature for the future continuance and development of the industry.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)

I am obliged for what the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. J. Harrison) has said about the good work being done by this Order, and I trust that the House will approve its continuance.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Draft Lace Industry (Scientific Research Levy) Order, 1955, a copy of which was laid before this House on 17th November, be approved.