16. Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the proposed declaration relating to import of raw material required for British industries, His Majesty's Government will take into consideration the necessity of special encouragement being given to the development of cotton grown in suitable areas within the Empire; and whether the importance of developing the growth of British-grown cotton has been kept in view?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The development of cotton-growing within the Empire has engaged the earnest attention of His Majesty's Government, and of the Governments of India, Egypt, and certain of the self-governing Dominions and Colonies for a considerable time past. A Standing Committee on the subject, representative both of the Governments and of the trade interests concerned, has been appointed by the President of the Board of Trade, and is doing very valuable work.