FEIAL
5 Since 1945, unemployment has not on the whole been a problc 1.
New industries moving into Lancashire have absorbed redundancica
and unemployment in the region has normally been below the
national average. Indeed, one problem facing progressive
textile firms in extending multi-shift working has been to got
enough labour. Working conditions still tend to be unattractive
and the pay relatively low. Even to-day mills do not seem to
find labour abundant.
Tho
Thio in
6 The last 10 years have seen changes for the better.
major influence has been entry, directly or indirectly, of the
big man-made fibre producers, notably Courtaulds, into the
traditional areas of spinning, weaving and downstream processes,
mainly in order to preserve their markets for fibres.
turn reflects the emergence of man-made fibres as major
compotitors to and complements of cotton, so that the "cotton"
industry to-day in fact handles about 50 per cent of these
materials. The establishment of major groupings, either on tho
initiative of the fibre producers or as defensive moves, has not
always optimised officiency, but has at least brought
sophisticated management and marketing, and financial strength
into the industry However, a large number of small and
medium firms remain, many with elderly plant and old-fashioned,
management.
TEXTILE COUNCIL STUDY
7
HMG's present textile policy is based largely on the
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