§ Mr. Fairhurst96, 97 and 98. asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many spindles and looms in the cotton textile industry were not in productive use on 30th September, 1947; how many of those were stopped owing to shortage of labour; and how many because of being refitted and overhauled;
(2) what was the figure of the total labour force engaged in the cotton textile industry on 30th September, 1947; and what is the estimated figure required to meet the present requirements of the trade, given in card room workers, spinners, preparity workers and weavers:
(3) what was the percentage of absenteeism in the cotton textile industry on 30th September, 1947; and the number of people who have availed themselves of the opportunity to work evening shifts, up to the above date.
§ Mr. BelcherI regret that figures of employment and machinery activity in the cotton industry at the end of September are not yet available. I will, however, send them to my hon. Friend shortly.