§ 82. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the largely increased imports of Egyptian cotton into America last year have given rise to a suspicion that large stocks have been accumulated for transshipment to Germany; and if he can state the result of the Board of Trade investigation into this matter?
Mr. ROBERTSThe inquiries which have been made tend to show that there has been a very great increase in the consumption of Egyptian cotton in the United States, due mainly to the requirements for the manufacture of motor tyres and of artificial leather for motor cars, and that the large stocks can be explained to some extent by the desire of the spinners to safeguard themselves against interference with their supplies arising out of war conditions. There is no evidence that stocks are being accumulated for transhipment to Germany, but the position is being carefully watched