14. Lieut.-Colonel ALLENasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the employés in the spinning department of the linen trade are only working half-time, and that very shortly these works will be closed down entirely; whether he is aware that this is caused by shortage of raw material, namely, flax, and that this trade is largely dependent on material grown in Russia; whether he can say if there are large stocks in Russian territory now occupied by troops friendly to this country; and, if so, what measures are being taken to procure this material, so vital to the interests of all concerned?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am aware that the output of the flax spinners, which is at present limited to six-elevenths of their normal production, may have to be still further reduced in the near future, in consequence of the shortage of raw material, of which Russia was the principal source of supply before the War. I understand that the stocks of flax available for shipment from Baltic ports fall far below the quantities normally exported from Russia to this country. At the desire of the trade the Government purchase of Russian flax ceased shortly after the Armistice, and the task of obtaining supplies reverted to private hands. I understand that some shipments are being arranged.