HC Deb 03 February 1959 vol 599 cc203-5
47. Mr. Hale

asked the Prime Minister whether he will receive a delegation from the County Borough of Oldham and the Urban District of Chadderton, representing employers, employees and unemployed, and the municipalities, to discuss unemployment in the area.

The Prime Minister

My colleagues have kept me fully informed about the present difficulties in Oldham and the other cotton towns, and shortly before Christmas I had the advantage of a long discussion with a number of hon. Members representing constituencies in Lancashire and Cheshire. While it might be more appropriate for a delegation of this kind to see a Minister from the Board of Trade, I would always be ready to receive a deputation representing the cotton industry as a whole.

Mr. Hale

Is the Prime Minister aware that Lancashire will appreciate that Answer and be grateful for it because the programme in which we in Oldham are interested is "Lift Up Your Hearts" and "What's My Line?" is increasing unemployment?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member has been very fair in the matter. I think he would understand that it would be difficult for me to see deputations from several constituencies. In the last few months I have been in very close touch with the Cotton Board. I attended the meeting at Harrogate. On the Cotton Board both sides of the industry are represented. There were long discussions in the big meeting and there were smaller meetings of both sides. I should be very happy to have further discussions if they can be organised on an industrial basis, which I think better than a constituency basis.

Mr. Gaitskell

Can the Prime Minister say whether any talks are taking place between representatives of the Government and representatives of the cotton industry about some special redundancy scheme in the spinning section of the industry?

The Prime Minister

A claim for the compensation scheme is being heard by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal at the moment, and therefore perhaps I should not comment on it until the award is made. On the larger question of reorganisation, I hope to make a statement very shortly.