§ 13. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the President of the Board of Trade how much wool there is in the country; and if he will do all in his power to secure labour for the worsted and wool factories so that clothing for the home and export market may be manufactured.
§ Sir S. CrippsStocks in the hands of the Wool Control at 31st October were 600 million lbs. greasy weight. In addition, substantial quantities are in the hands of the trade. My Department and the Ministry of Labour are doing everything possible to assist the Wool textile industry to secure additional labour.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman know that warehouses in the Bradford district are bulging with wool, and the owners have to pay rental at great expense? He may think it is necessary to control a shortage, but why is it necessary to control an abundance?
§ Sir S. CrippsThe necessity arises from the fact that the allocation of the ultimate manufactured material, which is in short supply, has to be dealt with.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes the Minister also realise that there are large orders awaiting export?
§ Sir S. CrippsCertainly, and we have not yet the capacity or labour to cope with them.