§ Sir G. Foxasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the Government's announced policy that the cotton industry is not to be nationalised, he will provide a list of other industries and trades to which a similar assurance can be given, in order that these industries may proceed with their reorganisation forthwith, undisturbed by fear of expropriation.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe statement made to the cotton industry was in the following form
It is not part of the present Government's programme to nationalise the cotton industry provided that the industry—upon which more than two million of our people depend directly or indirectly for their living—carries through with expedition the measures necessary for its reorganisation.Those industries which are to be otherwise dealt with during this Session of Parliament have been mentioned in the Gracious Speech. The general policy of His Majesty's Government upon the question of nationalisation can be found in the programme put forward at the election. Apart from the industries therein mentioned His Majesty's Government do not contemplate taking steps at present to nationalise other industries, provided they comply with the conditions laid down in the case of the cotton industry.