Millers Footwear

EDM number 1190 in 1989-90, proposed by DN Campbell-Savours on 27/06/1990.

That this House notes that two cheques were paid from the depleted resources of Messrs Millers Footwear of Cockermouth currently in the hands of the receiver to Messrs Arlandi Investments Ltd; notes that these two cheques were made payable in addition to further cheques drawn on the equally depleted resources of Messrs Ashworth and Hoyle of Haslingden, Lancashire a company also in the hands of the receivers; notes that Millers' cheques drawn on the National Wetminster Bank were numbered 002081 and 002767 and dated 29th November 1989 and 27th February 1990 and were to the value of ú31,500 and ú40,000, respectively; notes that each cheque was paid into account no. 60/12/03 held in a bank in Jersey; questions how such payments were made from the resources of Millers at a time when the company was in financial difficulties and facing receivership; expresses profound concern that Millers, a company of national reputation for quality footwear with a fine history of good industrial relations, employee loyalty and contribution to the local community should have been allowed to pass into the hands of those who from the very start were unable to appreciate the need to restore the former fortunes of the company in Cockermouth before wheeler dealing with the company's money in other speculative ventures; expresses the hope that the current receivers are successful in finding a buyer for the company who is capable of reharnessing the skills and expertise of a work force that has shown tenacious loyalty in the most volatile, extreme and tenuous of conditions; and calls upon the Department of Trade and Industry for an inquiry.

This motion has been signed by a total of 2 MPs.