§ 73. Mr. Prescottasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is still the desire of His Majesty's Government that hon. Members should encourage recruiting and production drives in their constituencies in respect of the textile industry; and what steps have been taken in this respect to approach the civic authorities concerned.
§ Mr. H. WilsonYes. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I have written to the civic heads of 30 towns in the cotton textile area. We emphasised that the Government would be most grateful if they felt prepared to take the lead in organising local campaigns to stimulate cotton production in their respective towns. We hope that, irrespective of party, hon. Members for Lancashire will support us in their constituencies both by impressing on the civic heads the benefits to be expected from such campaigns and by taking an active part in their organisation and conduct. Following are the names of the towns concerned:
Lancashire: Accrington, Ashton-under-Lyne, Chorley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Eccles, Farnworth, Heywood, Radcliffe, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan, Salford, Leigh, Middleton, Mossley, Colne, Preston, Haslingden, Rawtenstall, Bacup; Manchester (Lord Mayor); Cheshire: Hyde, Stalybridge, Stockport; Derbyshire: Glossop.