§ 44 and 48. Mr. Kennedyasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the amount of British capital invested in foreign textile-producing industries at the most recent date for which figures are available, specifying, if possible, the amount invested in Russia, China, Japan, Germany, and the United States of America, separately, with particular reference to the production of cotton goods?
(2) the amount of British capital invested in the Colonial and Dominion textile-producing industries at the most recent date for which figures are available, with particular reference to the production of cotton goods, and especially to Indian cotton production?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Euan Wallace)So far as I am aware, the desired information is not available.
§ Mr. KennedyWould it not be desirable that we should know how far the industrial status of British cotton operatives is being undermined by the employment of cheap foreign Dominion and Colonial labour employed by British investors?
§ Captain WallaceThat may be true, but the fact remains that I have no means of getting the information for which the hon. Member asked. If I had, I would willingly let him have it.