§ 42. Captain Prescottasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large amount of utility cloth available in the country, he will grant permission for mills to spin some quantity of non-utility, that is in general, non-standard yarns in order further to assist the weaving of experimental and sample cloths for future exports.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)As my hon. and gallant Friend has already been informed, my right hon. Friend is anxious to do all he can to assist the weaving of experimental and sample cloths. I am advised, however, that the spinning of fancy yarns would result in a disproportionate loss of output, and, in view of the very great shortage of cotton yarns for essential purposes, including production of utility cloth, I regret that my hon and gallant Friend's suggestion cannot be accepted for the present. But the possibility will be borne in mind.
§ Captain PrescottAs the number of spinning mills involved is very small, will not my right hon. and gallant Friend reconsider this matter, because the advantage that would be gained would be very great?
§ Captain WaterhouseBoth my right hon. Friend and I are most anxious that these samples should be made, but, unhappily, at the present moment, we are so very 1531 short of labour in Lancashire that it is quite impossible to use any of it for this purpose.
§ Captain PrescottIs not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that no increased labour would be necessary if the suggestion outlined in the Question were adopted?
§ Captain WaterhouseNo, Sir. On the other hand, I am informed that increased labour would be necessary, and that that labour would be disproportionate to the small number of samples which could be used. We hope to be able to do it shortly, but we cannot do it yet.