§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that another movement for short time is on foot among the 1859 Lancashire spinners of American cotton; and will he, in view of the chronic depression of the cotton trade, due to the shortage of the supply of raw material, take immediate steps to encourage, on a far more extensive scale than has yet been attempted, the growing of cotton in suitable parts of the Empire?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)I understand that short time is suggested because the production of yarn is at present in excess of the demand. Has Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of encouraging the growing of cotton within the Empire, and the steps which are being taken by them and by the various Colonial Governments are described in Command Paper 5215, presented to Parliament in June last. Speaking for myself, I may say that I miss no opportunity of giving encouragement in every British Possession to the increase of cotton growing.