§ 12. Mr. Holdsworthasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the scarcity of supplies of cotton yarns, and to the 1828 difficulties which are being experienced by the weaving section of the cotton industry, because of short deliveries of yarn; and what action he is taking in the matter?
§ Dr. BurginI am informed that in some sections of the cotton trade there has recently been an abnormal demand, which may be due to laying down stocks of cloth in anticipation of possible increases in the price of raw cotton. My right hon. Friend does not think that any action on his part is called for.
§ Mr. HoldsworthDoes not the hon. Member think that this is one of the results of the action taken in bringing into force the Cotton Spinning Industry Act?
§ Dr. BurginNo, Sir. The cotton spinning industry is not working at maximum capacity, and it could not, therefore, be the reason which the hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. HoldsworthIs it not a fact that where there is this abnormal demand, so called, the policy of providing a subnormal demand by a restriction and destruction of spindles has contributed to it?
§ 17. Mr. H. G. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade how many spindles have now been bought by the Cotton Spindles Board?
§ Dr. BurginI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 2nd February to the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Silverman).
§ Mr. WilliamsHave any spindles been bought by the Board since that date?
§ Dr. BurginI think the information that was then given was that the first date on which there could be a report of the Board would be 14th September.
§ Mr. WilliamsDo I understand that this Act has been in operation all this time and that in spite of there being reports of an abnormal demand for cotton yarn, there is no information as to what the Board have done up to now?
§ Mr. HoldsworthMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether seeing that there is an admitted shortage of cotton, it is not essential that these particulars should be given to the House?
§ Dr. BurginThe shortage of cotton yarn happens to be in one particular type of ring yarn, and is not at all general. The report which the Spindles Board are required to make is a report under a particular section of the Act of Parliament, and the earliest date on which that report could be brought forward is 14th September.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the hon. Gentleman ask them as a favour to let us have the report before that date?
§ Mr. HoldsworthAre we to continue until September to be short of cotton yarn?