HC Deb 02 March 1965 vol 707 cc1110-2
4. Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Minister of Technology what action he intends taking to improve the performance of the machine tool industry.

20. Mr. Hogg

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on his policy towards the machine tool industry; and what aid he proposes to give to it through his Department.

28. Mr. David Price

asked the Minister of Technology by what methods he intends to sponsor technological advance in the machine tool industry.

30. Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking, by Government action, to improve the performance of the machine tool industry.

36. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Technology what he is doing to improve the performance of the British machine tool industry.

41. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Minister of Technology what consideration he has given to the problems of the machine tool industry; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Cousins

My Department is urgently carrying out a study of the machine tool industry and I hope to make a statement shortly.

Mr. Walker

Will the right hon. Gentleman now agree that the fact that the machine tool industry increased its exports in December by 15 per cent. and in January by 30 per cent. is an outstanding record on which he as Minister should congratulate it?

Mr. Cousins

I shall be seeing representatives of the machine tool industry within the next few days, subject to my engagements here. I shall convey to them the views which we hold on the industry's performance during the last few months. The criticism was that there had been a declining performance over a number of years while the figures for the imports of machine tools rose considerably between 1963 and 1964. In 1963, the import figures were £26.2 million and in 1964 they were £33.2 million. This is a difference with which I am trying to get the machine tool industry to deal.

Mr. Sheldon

I welcome the energy with which my right hon. Friend is tackling this crucial problem. Will he not agree that one of the very important aspects is the way in which the latest types of machine tools are introduced into industry generally? Will he consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether some financial incentives might be suggested for dealing with this problem?

Mr. Cousins

A whole range of problems affects the introduction of machine tools into industry and this is a matter which we shall be examining. There are many aspects, including the fact that a similar allowance is paid for bad as for good machine tools.

Mr. Hogg

While we welcome the right hon. Gentleman's statement that he will be making a statement shortly, will he give us some indication of when "shortly" is likely to be?

Mr. Cousins

As soon as the facts have been ascertained, I shall provide them. I shall remember the suggestion about the electronics industry and I shall make a careful study rather than a predetermined judgment.