§ 26. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Power, in view of the fact that he has loaned £70 million to Richard Thomas & Baldwins Ltd., whose profit before taxation for 1962 is £82,000 against £4 million for 1961 on a turnover of £87 million, whose total loans have increased from 81 million to £135 million and which has failed to pay any dividend, and in view of the statement by the chairman of the company that 1963 is expected to be the worst year in the company's history, what 209W steps he now proposes to take to safeguard the investment of those sums in this industry and to safeguard employment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WoodThe company's prospects will be improved by the general growth of industrial activity which the Government is taking active steps to bring about. I am confident that the company will be able to meet its obligations to the Government and to maintain employment.