§ 43. Dr. Strossasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the decision of the Dunlop Rubber Company to close down the factory at Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, whether he will make further efforts to bring new industries to the city.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe Board of Trade will continue to bring North Staffordshire, including Stoke-on-Trent, to the attention of suitable firms.
§ Dr. StrossDoes the Minister appreciate that we have been rather unfortunate with reference to the rubber industry? Does he remember that the Michelin extension was diverted to another county, and now we are to lose 190 the Dunlop Company, with the loss of 400 further workers? Will he at least ask his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that, if nothing else can be done, he should abolish the Purchase Tax on pottery?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI think that the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question raises a much wider issue. I am glad to say that the reduction of the work at Etruria, I think it is, is the result of concentration at another factory in Stoke-on-Trent.