§ 2.59 p.m.
§ LORD MANCROFT moved, That the Lace Industry (Scientific Research Levy) (Amendment No. 2) Order, 1953, be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, this Order amends the Order made in 1951 which imposes levies on all sections of the lace industry to provide funds for scientific research. The basis of calculation for the levy is, for some sections, by reference to the value of yarn acquired in a base year, and for other sections to the number of machines standing during the period for which the levy is payable. The present amending Order, which will also, subject to your Lordships' approval, come into operation on January 1, 1954, advances the base year, in relation to yarn acquired, from 1951 to 1952, and establishes new rates of charge to ensure that the total income from the levy continues at approximately £10,000 a year, and that the proportions paid by the various sections of the industry remain unchanged.
137§ Again, representative organisations of employers and employees have been consulted, and no objections have been raised to these proposed changes. The proceeds of this levy go to the Lace Research Association which is doing very useful work for this important industry. The Association is financed partly by the levy, partly by contributions directly from industry and partly by a grant from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. I hope that these proposals will meet with your Lordships' approval also, and, accordingly, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Lace Industry (Scientific Research Levy) (Amendment No. 2) Order, 1953, reported from the Special Orders Committee on Wednesday last, be approved.—(Lord Macroft.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.