§ 68. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the memorandum on our export trade, issued by the Bolton chamber of commerce, shows that, whereas we imported £582,000,000 worth of goods from 12 foreign countries in 1937, our exports to those same countries only amounted to £227,000,000; and whether he will take steps to redress these balances so that the depressed Lancashire cotton textile industry may benefit therefrom?
§ Mr. R. S. Hudson (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I have not seen the memorandum to which the hon. Member refers, but if he cares to send me a copy, I shall be glad to consider it. As regards the question of assistance for the cotton export trade, which is, of course, a matter of much concern to His Majesty's Government, I would refer to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 1st November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hulme (Sir J. Nall).