§ Mr. Doddasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received a report from the Cotton Board suggesting new figures for the care and maintenance of cotton spinning mills closed down under the Concentration of Production Scheme; and whether he is now able to make any statement on the matter?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. I have received from the Cotton Board a report on the operation of the existing scheme for the maintenance of spinning mills closed under the concentration policy; the report makes certain suggestions for the alteration of the scheme. The major alterations proposed are that the basic rate of maintenance payments should be increased from £7,000 to £10,000 per annum per 100,000 spindles installed in closed, mills, and that special provision should be made for the smaller mills. I have to-day informed the Cotton Board that their proposals have been approved. The Cotton Board will shortly send details of the new arrangements to all spinners concerned. The new arrangements will operate as from 1st April last.