§ 73. Mr. J. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the ring spindles, at present installed in the Lancashire cotton mills, are not being operated because of a shortage of labour; and how this compares with labour available in the mule rooms.
§ Mr. BottomleyIn the week ended 19th November, nearly 20 per cent. of the ring spindles in running mills in the cotton spinning industry were not being operated, primarily because of shortage of labour. The comparable figure for mule spindles was just under 17 per cent. There are outstanding vacancies for both mule and ring spinners.