§ 62. Mr. Medlicottasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the increased need for additional supplies of flax to be grown in this country, he can now state whether the Government are proposing to give financial or other assistance to encourage the growing of this material?
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. W. S. Morrison)The position in regard to flax is being considered, but at the moment I am unable to make any statement.
§ Sir Ronald RossIs my right hon. Friend aware that the production of flax could be greatly extended if the producers were assured that they would not be faced with a loss? Is he not aware that the time for sowing is rapidly coming to an end?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe principal problem of flax is not one of growing. There is the problem of retting and scutching, which is a very costly and laborious process. The Government are conducting an experiment into a mechanical method of performing this particular process, and on the result of that experiment further steps will depend.
§ Sir R. RossIs my right hon. Friend aware that we can do our own retting and scutching in Ulster?