§ SIR WILLIAM HOLLAND (Yorkshire, W. R., Rotherham)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the cause of the short time now being largely worked in the Lancashire cotton trade; and, in case that information goes to show that such short time is due to a deficiency in our imports of raw cotton, whether he will use the good offices of the Government with the view of increasing such imports.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I am aware of the importance of this matter, but the cotton industry are as well able to form an opinion as the Government as to the commercial position which has caused short time to be worked; and, with regard to the last part of the Question, I may say that the Department is ready to give any practicable help towards increasing the sources of supply of raw cotton.