§ 88. Mr. Nieldasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of persons previously employed upon the Liverpool Cotton Futures Market who are now unemployed as a result of its closing; and what steps are being taken to re-employ or compensate such persons.
§ Sir S. CrippsAs regards the first part of the Questions, the number of persons unemployed as a result of the closing of the Liverpool Cotton Futures Market is not known. The market has been closed since 1941, and many persons previously employed there have found other employment. Every effort is being made by the Ministry of Labour to find suitable alternative employment for the remainder and for those who are being discharged by cotton merchants at the present time because of the decision to continue centralised purchase. The Government have 287W decided that compensation could not properly be paid either to employers or employees.