HC Deb 16 December 1921 vol 149 cc293-4W
Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Joint Industrial Council and other bodies in the electrical industry, in which attention was called to the grave state of unemployment in the electrical industry arising largely from the uncertainty of the future of the industry; if he is aware that the conference viewed with alarm the proposals put forward in certain centres to carry out the construction of certain electric generating stations and the electrification of railways by placing the work in German hands and acccepting the constructions as part of the reparation payments, and that the Minister of Health gave the deputation assurance that the Government were very desirous to allay such uncertainty and to assist as far as possible the reopening of activity in electrical work; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

Sir R. HORNE

The answers to all but the last part of the question are in the affirmative. No action by His Majesty's Government is at present in contemplation of the kind to which the Joint Industrial Council and other bodies have been objecting.