HC Deb 16 April 1969 vol 781 cc1135-6
15. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Minister of Technology if he will extend the pre-production order scheme to machines other than machine tools.

Dr. Bray

The Department has recently placed a contract with Stone-Platt for six pre-production break spinning machines, which will be evaluated in industry. Other cases are under consideration.

Mr. Davidson

May I say—[HON. MEMBERS: "Ask."]—I would say but I am delighted to ask whether my hon. Friend is aware that the announcement which he has made today will meet with a warm response in Lancashire? Can he, however, give further help to Lancashire by saying that he is prepared to extend the scheme even more?

Dr. Bray

What would be of very great help would be if we could get well-conceived and well-presented proposals put forward by textile machinery manufacturers, and I assure any such manufacturers that their proposals will be most carefully considered.