§ 7. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary of State for India if he will consider a scheme for purchasing Indian cotton in bulk to be used in this country, and for providing funds for developing the machinery required for this purpose?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I have been asked to reply. The promotion of the greater use of Indian cotton in this country is under active consideration by the Indian Cotton Inquiry Committee, which has been set up in Lancashire for this purpose, and I understand that, among other matters, the Committee have under consideration a proposal that arrangements should be made to hold larger stocks of Indian cotton here.
§ Mr. CHORLTONI asked, and I ask again, if the Government are not prepared to help by purchasing those large stocks? Furthermore, the end of the question referred to research, and I asked that additional steps should be taken to accelerate research to enable Indian cotton to be used better than it is to-day. Will the hon. Gentleman take counsel with the Lord President about it?
§ Dr. BURGINI shall be very happy to take counsel. The Indian Cotton Inquiry Committee are examining all the matters to which the hon. Gentleman referred.
§ Major PROCTERMay I ask when this committee is likely to report; and, secondly, whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that Indian cotton is not being used in the proportion it should be simply because there is no spot market for Indian cotton?
§ Dr. BURGINYes, Sir, I am aware of that fact.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIs it not a fact that all these matters are being actively dealt with by the committee in question?