HC Deb 26 November 1928 vol 223 cc27-8
33. Mr. HURD

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give information as to the experimental cultivation in Essex and Sussex of a plant of British Guianese origin which is found by Lancashire experts to provide a cheap artificial cotton for the coarser counts of cotton, in substitution of the imported American product?

41. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres of land in Sussex and Essex under cultivation for the growing of the fibrous material used for the manufacture of artificial cotton; and if he can state whether the English Artificial Cotton Production and Marketing Corporation are receiving any financial assistance from the Government?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the public Press. The Company referred to is not receiving any financial assistance from the Government.

Mr. HURD

Is not the Ministry deeply interested in this experiment, and would it not be possible to make some inquiries to show how far the Press reports correspond with the facts?

Mr. GUINNESS

I can only get the information which the Company give me. I sent a representative down to make inquiries, and the Company made it clear that they do not need any assistance. They did not ask for any financial assistance from the Government.

Mr. HURD

Is land being cultivated under this crop?

Mr. GUINNESS

I have no information. I cannot get information, if it is not given to me by the Company, beyond what is published in the newspapers.

Sir WILFRID SUGDEN

Will the Minister give facilities for growing the Egyptian type of cotton as well as the American?

Mr. GUINNESS

I understand it is not cotton at all. It is a plant which promises to be a useful substitute for cotton.

Commander WILLIAMS

Will the Minister make a real inquiry to see whether it would not be of value to British agriculture, and then publish the result of the inquiry?

Mr. GUINNESS

I have no power of forcing information out of anybody who chooses to grow a crop. Our inspector has already visited these people, and it would be greatly resented if we forced our interference on them.

Sir WILLIAM LANE MITCHELL

If the Press can get information, surely the Minister of Agriculture can get it? Surely, he can get to know what this thing is, and whether there is anything in it?

Mr. GUINNESS

I have not been invested by Parliament with the powers of the Star Chamber.

Commander BELLAIRS

Can the Minister say how many acres are being cultivated?

Mr. GUINNESS

We have not this information. We have made all the inquiries in our power, and we have not been given any further details beyond what has appeared in the Press. I think a company which has recently been formed is perfectly entitled to say it does not wish to make any further disclosure.

Mr. THURTLE rose

—

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman has stated that he has no further information to disclose, and that seems to end it.