HC Deb 29 March 1955 vol 539 cc200-1
54. Mrs. Castle

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the results of this meeting with the Cotton Board on the question of imports of Indian cloth.

58. Mr. Lee

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recently-announced Australian import restrictions, he has any policy statement to make with respect to the Lancashire textile industry.

Mr. Low

I would refer the hon. Members to the answers just given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the President of the Board of Trade and the Prime Minister saw the Cotton Board, 70 workers at one cotton mill in my constituency have been thrown out of work, another mill is going on a four-day week from 1st April, and yet a third mill employing 500 workers is closing down for an extended stoppage over Easter? In view of the fact that every extension of short time and every stoppage of work causes human hardship, ought we not to treat this matter with greater urgency?

Mr. Low

We are certainly treating the matter as my right hon. Friend treated it, with proper concern. I am grateful to the hon. Lady for what she has said.