§ Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the rapid diminution in exports of textile machinery and of home purchases is 123W causing redundancy and unemployment at a time when re-equipment is necessary; and whether he will introduce a scheme for the leasing of textile machinery backed by Government finance.
§ Sir D. EcclesYes. Deliveries of textile machinery are affected by the world situation of the textile industry which has recently been under-employed in very many countries. As regards the re-equipment of the cotton industry, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Farnworth (Mr. Thornton) on 3rd February.