HC Deb 14 March 1963 vol 673 cc1511-3
20. Mr. Warbey

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that unemployment in the Midlands hosiery and knitwear industry increased nearly two-and-a-half times between January, 1962, and January, 1963; and, as there is a prospect of further redundancy in this industry, if he will appoint an independent committee to inquire into the state of the hosiery and knitwear industry and to make recommendations.

Mr. Erroll

I am aware that unemployment in January, 1963, was higher than in January, 1962. I believe that this very vigorous and healthy industry is more likely than any committee of investigation to deal successfully with its problems.

Mr. Warbey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my constituency alone unemployment in this industry has nearly quadrupled in the last 12 months and that in the whole of the Midlands area it has very seriously increased? Is he aware that some hosiery manufacturers, in the face of severely increased competition from Italy and Eire, are acting as agents for foreign manufacturers instead of modernising their own equipment and that they are sacking workers who have given the beet part of their lives to this industry and are deliberately cutting down their labour force? Will not the right hon. Gentleman offer a little more than that to this industry which is now in such a serious position?

Mr. Erroll

It would not be doing any service to the industry to exaggerate the position, as the hon. Gentleman has just been doing. Imports are still no more than 10 per cent. of manufacturers' total sales. The part of the industry with which the hon. Member is concerned is largely in the prosperous areas of the Midlands where alternative employment is fairly readily available. The industry is vigorous and adaptable and I think that it will be able to solve its temporary difficulties.

Mr. Willis

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable amount of this industry is in Scotland, and that it is experiencing the same difficulties as those to which my hon. Friend has referred? Firms have closed, people have been stood off work, and the industry has been making representations to the Government concerning taxation. Will the right hon. Gentleman approach the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter?

Mr. Erroll

I was careful in my supplementary answer to refer to that part of the industry situated in England, because it was an English Member who tabled the original Question. I appreciate that the situation in Scotland is somewhat different.

Mr. Warbey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the opportunities for alternative employment in the East Midlands are practically non-existent at the present time, especially for men and women who have been trained in this trade? Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation from this industry so that there could be a thorough investigation of its problems?

Mr. Erroll

Questions of labour redundancy are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. If the industry expresses a wish to come to the Board of Trade, I, or the Parliamentary Secretary, or officials from my Department would be very glad to see it.