HC Deb 14 April 1959 vol 603 cc784-5
3. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the President of the Board of Trade the respective percentage increases in labour productivity in the United Kingdom jute manufacturing industry during 1958, and in the United Kingdom manufacturing industry generally.

Sir D. Eccles

I have noted the recent statement made by the retiring Chairman of the British Jute Trades Federal Council that since the war output per head for the jute industry has risen more than in the United Kingdom manufacturing industry as a whole. While I cannot confirm this statement such information as I have supports it.

Mr Thomson

In view of the way that the jute industry under successive Governments has responded to the national need for increased productivity, will not the President of the Board of Trade give it that reassurance about its future which it now needs?

Sir D. Eccles

At present, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the jute industry is doing quite well.

Sir J. Duncan

Is not this statement of the Chairman, supported by my right hon. Friend, a great tribute to the employers in the jute industry, who, to make it efficient, have invested more than £11 million worth of capital in the industry since the war?

Sir D. Eccles

I agree with my hon. Friend.

4. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated capital investment in the jute manufacturing industry in 1958.

Sir D. Eccles

Official figures of capital expenditure in the jute industry in 1958 are not yet available.

Mr. Thomson

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the Chairman of the Jute Trades Federal Council has reported that £418,000 was invested in the jute industry last year—a remarkable figure considering the uncertainty created by the right hon. Gentleman—but that that investment is now declining? Will he remove the uncertainty in the jute industry, which is enjoying a temporary period of prosperity, and give that assurance for its long-term future which will allow the industry to carry out its long-term plans for expansion?

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Gentleman knows that the difficulty about such an assurance is that we have to think about our relations with India.