§ 10. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that statistical estimates show that the supplies of American raw cotton are likely to fall below the world's demand by the end of the current 12 months, and that there is a probability of serious interference with the British cotton industry until the 1923 American crop becomes available; and whether he will take steps to urge for increases in the current year's production of British-grown cotton?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am aware that the estimates to which my hon. Friend refers are causing anxiety in the British cotton industry. Every effort is being made to develop as expeditiously as possible the production of cotton within the Empire, but I am bound to point out no relatively large amount is likely to be obtained immediately from that source.
§ Mr. SAMUELCould the right hon. Gentleman publish these statistics, so that growers in the Dominions and colonies might see exactly the position?
§ Mr. BALDWINI will consider that.