§ LORD JOHN MANNERSsaid, that he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is in possession of any official information, showing what progress, if any, has been made in adapting the existing machinery in the Lancashire Cotton Mills to the working up of other materials, such as flax or wool; and, if so, whether he will place such information on the table af the House before the discussion takes place on the Motion which the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Ferrand) intends to bring forward alter Easter?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, in reply, 27 that he had no information from the factory inspectors on that subject, except a Report from Mr. Redgrave, whose district, as Inspector, comprised far the greater part of the manufacturing districts in the North, stating that great exertions had been made to remove the difficulties attending the working of Indian cotton, and that there were machines in many factories which were also available for working the shorter kinds of cotton.