§ 6.19 p.m.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am glad to say that this mater is much shorter, much less controversial, and much happier than the previous one. I think I ought to warn your Lordships straight away that this particular Order has not yet been before another place; this is the first consideration it has received in Parliament. The Order is made under the same Act, the Industrial Organisation and Development Act, 1947. It concerns the Cotton Board's powers to obtain money from the cotton industry. As your Lordships know, the Cotton 838 Board is the only organisation in the industry, and all sections agreed to its formation. It can spend its funds only on things which will actually benefit the industry. Representative bodies on both sides of the industry have been fully consulted on the present proposals and have raised no objections to them. The only really important Amendment in the Order is one which raises from £300,000 to £450,000 the maximum amount which the Cotton Board may levy from the industry in any one year. The actual amount levied in any year has, of course, to be approved by the Board of Trade. The maximum is being raised solely to enable the Cotton Board to spend more money on the promotion of research. As I am sure your Lordships will readily agree, research work is vital to the efficiency of the industry. Lancashire has the world-famous Shirley Institute—which I believe is one of the finest technical institutes in the world—in which research work is carried on. Despite severe economies, the Institute's work is in real danger of being curtailed for lack of funds. The other Amendments are designed to spread the levy more equally throughout the industry; to prevent overlap with other similar Orders, and to clear up certain very minor administrative anomalies. These have all been agreed by the industry. I confidently commend this Order to your Lordships. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Cotton Industry Development Council (Amendment No. 2) Order, 1953, reported from the Special Orders Committee on Wednesday, the 11th instant, be approved.—(Lord Mancroft.)
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, what a contrast is the story which the noble Lord has just told to that which he had to tell on the Order approved a few moments ago! Here is an industry which, on all sides, voluntarily agrees to increase to £450,000 the amount of the levy for research. What is the reason for the difference? Is this a case of Lancashire intelligence as opposed to Yorkshire stubbornness? Why is it that one industry will agree to spend more money, while a craft industry turns its back upon organisation? I congratulate the noble Lord on being able to put this Order before us. We thoroughly approve of it.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.