§ 17. Mr. Nabarroasked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to restore private trading facilities for importing jute goods; when he proposes to wind up jute control; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftNot at the present time, Sir.
§ Mr. NabarroDoes that reply mean that nationalised jute control is to be a permanent feature of Tory Government policy?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIt means that it has not yet been possible to find proper measures to safeguard the United Kingdom manufacturing industry in conditions conducive to efficiency without this particular form of control. However, my hon. Friend has debated this point on a number of occasions, and I need not add to it at present.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that the views of his hon. Friend would cause almost immediate mass unemployment in Dundee, and that his attitude is wholly unrepresentative of the users of the product of the Dundee industry?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI am aware that the views of my hon. Friend, with whom I am on almost all occasions in complete agreement, do not on this occasion command universal acceptance.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe President of the Board of Trade said "not at present." Can he give an assurance that he will not do away with jute control without full consultation with employers and labour, and perhaps getting their assent?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI am sure that I shall fully take into account the views of everybody.