§ 87. Mr. Fairhurstasked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of automatic looms, and the number of high speed weaving frames installed in the Lancashire cotton textile industry since July, 1945.
§ Mr. BelcherThe number of automatic looms installed in the Lancashire cotton textile industry since July, 1945, is about 5,000.
§ 88. Mr. Fairhurstasked the President of the Board of Trade how many spinning mills in the cotton industry have eliminated intermediate processes, and installed high draft spinning since July, 1945; and what is the estimated saving of labour as a result.
§ Mr. BelcherThe conversion of existing machinery to high draft systems is proceeding as rapidly as the necessary mechanisms can be supplied and fitted, but I cannot say how many mills have introduced them since 1945, nor what labour has been saved as a result.