§ 5. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution of the Liverpool Cotton Association which hinders the formation of a raw cotton spot market in Manchester; and, in view of the fact that the Government are concerned with the importation of raw cotton through their grant to the Empire Cotton Corporation and the Cotton Industry Act, 1923, does he propose to take any steps in the matter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have seen reports as to a proposed addition to the articles of the Liverpool Cotton Association, now awaiting confirmation, forbidding its members to be connected with any other association; but, if that is the resolution to which my hon. Friend 944 refers, I do not think it is a matter in which I can intervene.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYAre we to understand that, although the Government are anxious to increase the production of raw cotton, they are indifferent to the restrictions which are placed upon the market?
§ Sir WILFRID SUGDENHas the President of the Board of Trade noticed that the extreme difficulty in the American section of the cotton trade demands that the saving of 6s. a ton via Manchester should be adopted and allowed to proceed, and that the position of the Liverpool cotton market in restraint of trade is not helping the cotton trade at all in its parlous condition in respect to the American section thereof?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have already indicated that these interpolations from different portions of the House show that this is a matter in which the Board can hardly intervene, and one on which the Manchester and Liverpool Members might conveniently meet.
§ Mr. HILTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at a meeting in Manchester last Friday, representing the whole of the cotton trade in Manchester, they passed a resolution of protest against this restriction as a restraint of trade and against the putting up of a barrier against a free market for our goods?