§ 12 and 13. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he proposes to take to assist cotton manufacturers to secure a more adequate supply of cotton yarns;
(2) what proposals he has in mind to increase the export trade in cotton goods apart from those connected with research?
§ 17. Mr. Tomlinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken by His Majesty's. Government to bring about an expansion of the export cotton trade?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe Government have introduced a Bill, which is now being discussed in another place, under which a Cotton Board is to be set up whose main function will be to take action conducive to the maintenance and extension of the export trade in cotton goods Further my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply, has made an Order (The Control of the Cotton Industry (No. 4) Order) which is intended to ensure that the production of cotton goods, including yarns, required for the export trade shall not be delayed by the pressure of the demand for goods required for home consumption. In present circumstances, home orders must give way to export orders.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the Minister aware that at the present time, owing to the conflict between buyers and sellers of yarns, valuable orders are being lost, either because the spinners are going ca' canny or because the margins fixed by the controller are so small?
§ Sir A. DuncanI am not aware of that.
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs it the purpose of the Bill which is being introduced in another place to cancel or to amend the Act which we passed last year, or to deal with a different problem?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe Act passed last year is in part being substituted by the Bill which is now in another place.
§ Mr. BurkeWill the Minister look into that matter, because the facts are as I have stated, and will he see whether some practical action can be taken?
§ Sir A. DuncanI shall be very glad to look into it.
§ 14. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has given consideration to the question of fixing prices for cotton cloths for the home and/or export markets; and, if so, will he indicate the result of such consideration?
§ Sir A. DuncanMargins have been fixed for cotton yarns under an Order made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply. The question of fixing margins for cotton cloth is being kept under review by the Cotton Board.