HC Deb 29 January 1959 vol 598 cc1247-8
38. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the judgment of the Restrictive Practices Court, declaring the price agreement of the Yarn Spinners Association contrary to the public interest, admits that the implementation of that judgment must have adverse effects on employment in the areas affected; and what action it is proposed to take to mitigate the hardship which will be caused as a result.

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir. We shall do all we can to mitigate any hardship that may result. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, we have just added more of the cotton towns to the list of places for which D.A.T.C. assistance is available and we shall watch closely developments in other parts of the area.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great distress which has been caused to a very large section of the cotton industry in Lancashire, and is there any hope that he will be able to make a more hopeful statement in the near future?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir. We are very carefully considering this matter and, before long, I hope that we shall he able to make some statement.

Mr. H. Hynd

In view of the further difficulty facing the cotton industry, will the Government reconsider their attitude towards Hong Kong imports?

Sir D. Eccles

No, Six.