§ 9. Mr. G. Jegerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the necessity to conserve foreign currency, he will reconsider the decision to close down the Government flax processing mills.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftNo, Sir. I am satisfied that in the interests of economy the Home Flax Scheme ought to be wound up.
§ Mr. JegerIs the Minister aware that this industry employs about 10,000 workers and has a large amount of capital invested in it? Has he received a memorandum from the Flax Spinners' and Manufacturers' Association, which sets out many logical reasons why this industry, one-third of which contributes to our export trade, should be continued?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI have considered a very large number of representations about this matter, and I announced the winding-up of this scheme more than a year ago. It was losing £300 per ton, and I am quite certain that, in the interests of public economy, it ought to be closed.
§ Commander Scott-MillerIs my right hon. Friend aware that the flax factory at Flitcham in Norfolk, which is the pioneer factory and the one which carries all the technical staff of this industry, is probably, standing on its own, quite an economic proposition? Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the matter in regard to that particular factory?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThis matter was gone into in very great detail. I shall be happy to hear anything which my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to say to me, but this scheme as a whole was losing very considerable sums of public money.
§ Mr. JegerIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.