§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodI beg to present two Petitions relating to the position of the cotton and footwear industries. One is signed by over 5,700 residents in the Borough of Rawtenstall and the other by 5,922 residents in the Borough of Bacup. Both of them are in broadly similar terms. They draw attention to the heavy dependence of these towns on the textile industry and stress the difficulties stemming from the reduction of exports and the increase in cheap imports from overseas. The position is exacerbated by the difficulties currently experienced by the footwear industry, the other major industry upon which the area depends for its prosperity, and new industries are needed in the whole Rossendale Valley.
The Bacup Petition concludes by urging the House.
to take action without delay to limit the import of cheap textiles produced under unfair competitive conditions and to devote itself to saving the cotton towns of Lancashire from becoming derelict by taking prompt action to stimulate and revive the cotton industry.The Petition from Rawtenstall ends with the plea that we will take similar action to prevent distress in the area and both Petitions conclude with the words:And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.