§ 99. Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement with reference to the subsidy scheme for the purchase of textile machinery; and what are the estimated purchases of new textile machinery for the next five years.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI hope that if circumstances permit legislation will be introduced this Session to give statutory effect to the spinning modernisation scheme. Particulars concerning the scheme were given in the replies to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Mr. Law) on 30th April, 1947, and the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on 29th January, 1948. As regards the second part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the senior Member for Oldham (Mr. Fairhurst) on Tuesday last.
§ 100. Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade what stipulation was made to the Textile Machine Makers Limited with reference to the maintenance of their existing employment in Oldham before the letting by His Majesty's Government of the factory at Barton.
§ Mr. H. WilsonNone. The Government factory at Barton was required in addition to the existing works at Oldham in order to increase output of textile machinery.