§ 53. Sir L. LYLEasked the Prime Minister whether the Government intends to carry on the policy of stimulating cotton growing within the Empire; and, if so, whether the Government intends to stipulate that such cotton shall be for Empire consumption and not for rationing amongst other nations?
Mr. WEBBI have been asked to reply. The Government regard all increase of the world's supplies of raw cotton as a matter of the greatest importance, and have every intention of carrying on the policy of promoting the development of cotton growing within the Empire, but I do not think that such a restriction as the hon. Member suggests would be in the best interests of either the growers or the British cotton-using industry.
§ Sir L. LYLEDoes the Prime Minister or his Government accept the view of the Hamburg International, of which they were themselves members not long ago, that raw material such as cotton should be rationed to all countries?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not a matter for Question Time.