§ 13. Major PROCTERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the progress made in carrying out the wishes of the Lancashire cotton delegation and the Indian Government for the increased use of Indian cotton; whether he will consider the advisability of granting a bounty to encourage its use; and whether he will take steps to have established in Manchester a spot market for Indian raw cotton?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The committee set up in Lancashire following the Ottawa Conference to promote the greater use of Indian cotton in this country has already, by the appointment of a Cotton Commissioner to act in India as liaison officer between the Indian raw cotton interests and the Lancashire spinners, commenced action on the lines recommended by the recent United Kingdom textile delegation to India. I do not think a bounty to encourage the use of Indian cotton is desirable. As regards the last part of the question, I 1743 would point out that there has been available a spot market for Indian cotton in Manchester for several years past.
§ Major PROCTERIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are very great difficulties in purchasing Indian cotton in Lancashire to-day?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, but those difficulties have already been mentioned.
§ Mr. REMERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility whereby future markets for Indian cotton, which is the more important point, can be set up?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI think the Lancashire cotton trade is quite capable of doing that itself.
§ Mr. CROSSLEYIs my right hon. Friend aware that many mills that would like to use Indian cotton need some adaptation of their machinery in order to be able to do so, and how would he help that adaptation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI know there are some mills in which the adaptation has already taken place without Government assistance.
§ 16. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade if the negotiations with the Japanese delegates on cotton and rayon have yet commenced; and, if not, when they will commence?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe discussions between the representatives of the United Kingdom and Japanese cotton and rayon industries will begin to-morrow.
§ Mr. REMERIf I put a question down for Thursday, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give information to the House as to what progress has been made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, I think it would be a most indiscreet thing to do.
§ 21. Major PROCTERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the project for the importation of Indian raw cotton to be paid for by the export of cotton piece-goods made from Indian cotton; and whether his Department will be prepared to give active encouragement to such reciprocal trading between Lancashire and India?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that a proposal on the lines indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend has been made to the Lancashire Indian Cotton Committee, and has been under consideration by that committee in the course of their work in relation to the use of Indian cotton in Lancashire. It would be premature to express any opinion on the matter in advance of consideration by the Committee.
§ Major PROCTERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 3,000 bales of Indian cotton are on the high seas to be made up into Lancashire piece goods and sent back to India; and will the right hon. Gentleman tell us when the Government proposes to put into operation effective measures to carry out the wishes of the Lancashire Cotton Delegation and the Indian Government to increase the use of Indian to offset the Japanese moral claim to a large share of the trade in the Indian market based on her huge purchases of Indian raw cotton?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have no reason to doubt the assiduity with which the committee are proceeding with their work.