§ 62. Major ROSSasked the Postmaster-General whether he will introduce a cancellation stamp for use in Northern Ireland bearing the words "Buy Ulster Linen"?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHAdvertisement of the British Industries Fair by postmark is an established practice; this year the scope of the fair has been enlarged by the inclusion of a new section on a very large scale, that of cotton textiles, and I have agreed that prominence shall be given to that fact in the postmark advertisements of the fair. Similar conditions do not apply to the Ulster linen industry.
§ Major ROSSWill the hon. Gentleman say why he is assisting the cotton trade and making a discrimination in its favour against the linen trade, which is in a precisely similar position, if, as he has said, he treats Northern Ireland equally fairly?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI am only following the practice of previous Governments in the case of the British Industries Fair. As that is under Government auspices, we have advertised it, and as the cotton industry is opening a new exhibit at the White City that has been included in some of the advertisements. None of these factors applies to the British linen industry, which does not exhibit at the fair.
§ Major ROSSBecause the British cotton industry has been given special advantages in this fair, does the hon. Gentleman think it proper to give it further advantages, and to discriminate against the linen industry in regard to advertising it through the Post Office?