HC Deb 23 July 1935 vol 304 cc1665-6W
Captain ERSKINE-BOLST

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many spindles in the Lancashire cotton industry would be employed and rendered non-redundant if the markets for British cotton goods within the Empire were as large as they have been at any period during the past 20 years?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Redundancy in the Lancashire cotton industry has arisen from a number of causes, and it is not possible to estimate what would be the effect of an alteration of any one particular factor in the situation.

Captain ERSKINE-BOLST

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of spindles owned by those who are in favour of the Cotton Spinning Industry Bill, and the number owned by those who are opposed to its provisions?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The scheme on which the Bill is based was approved in October last by the owners of spindles variously estimated at between 28,000,000 and 32,000,000 (representing nearly two-thirds of the cotton spinning industry). The owners of 11,000,000 spindles (or about one-quarter of the cotton spinning industry) are said to be opposed to the present proposals.

Major PROCTER

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cotton-spinning mills are now working full time or at over 90 per cent. capacity, and for whom, therefore, the levy proposed under the Cotton Spinning Industry Bill will constitute merely a tax without any corresponding advantage in increased output?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I regret that this information is not available.

Major PROCTER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Stevenson scheme for the restriction of rubber proved a failure because all rubber exporting countries were not included, he will take steps to ensure that all cotton-cloth exporting countries come to some arrangement with regard to redundant spindles before the restriction scheme envisaged by the Cotton Spinning Industry Bill is imposed on the British cotton spinning industry?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have nothing to add to the reply given to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend on 18th July.