§ 8. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a Commission is proceeding to Japan to study the question of Japanese competition in the cotton industry; whether the composition of the Commission comprises two merchants to one manufacturer; why this proportion was decided upon; and whether he will institute a similar Commission in connection with the silk industry, or, alternatively, appoint representatives of the silk industry to make a joint inquiry?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe question of the dispatch of a mission to investigate the Far Eastern markets for cotton piece goods is at present under consideration. Foreign competition generally in these 556 markets, including Japanese, is no doubt one of the problems with which any mission would deal when investigating the general question. No definite decision has been taken either as to the dispatch of a mission or as to its composition, but the matter is to be discussed at a meeting to be held in Mancheter on the 8th May.
If those interested in the silk industry desire to make any proposals to me for an investigation abroad, I shall be very glad to give them careful consideration.