§ 3. Mr. Hall-Davisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a White Paper when he has considered the Textile Council's Productivity and Efficiency Study and the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Further Rationalisation in the Textile Industry and further considered the Monopolies Commission Report on Cellulosic Fibres.
§ Mr. CroslandI will consider this suggestion when I have had the opportunity to examine the results of these three inquiries as a whole.
§ Mr. Hall-DavisIn view of the importance and the far-reaching nature of the decisions which are to be taken by the Government, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that his proposals should be published and the basis on which they are reached given before they are implemented by administrative action?
§ Mr. CroslandI would certainly think that in principle. I do not think that we could possibly take a major decision affecting the future of the textile industry without discussion in the House. It was only on the precise form of some publication that I was guarding myself.
§ Mr. MappWill my right hon. Friend undertake to make available immediately on printing the Report of the Study of the Textile Council? Will he undertake to make copies available to hon. Members, at least to those from the Lancashire area?
§ Mr. CroslandPublication of the Report of the Textile Council Productivity and Efficiency Study is strictly a matter 471 for the Textile Council and not for the Government. I understand that publication is to be next month and that copies will be made available free in the Library of the House for the convenience of hon. Members.