HC Deb 08 April 1946 vol 421 cc1633-4
67. Sir Wavell Wakefield

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to enable cotton spinners to have the opportunities now denied them of choosing the cotton they desire and seeing the type and quality of cotton offered, together with the taking or samples prior to delivery.

Mr. Belcher

Owing to the lack of storage space, it is not at present physically possible to provide facilities for inspecting or sampling cotton. As soon as the necessary accommodation becomes available, arrangements will be made to enable spinners who wish to do so to buy by sample.

Sir W. Wakefield

Could the Minister give me any idea as to when the position will be satisfactory to enable the spinners to carry out this inspection?

Mr. Belcher

I would not like to make a forecast. There has been a great deal of disruption of warehouse premises, and I would not like to say when that will be possible.

68. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that because cotton spinners have been compelled to take unsuitable types and qualities of cotton on the direction of the Cotton Control, quality of product has declined and unnecessary delays have occurred due to changes in machinery settings with resultant higher costs to the consumer and damage to our export trade; and what action he is proposing to take.

Mr. Belcher

No, Sir. Currency, shipping and other causes have rendered it impossible always to provide spinners with the precise types and qualities of cotton they would prefer, but complaints have been few and my information is that the effect on quality and output of their pro- ducts has been very small. The Control are always ready to consider any specific cases of difficulty.

Sir W. Wakefield

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that as our exporting trade increases it is vitally essential that spinners should be able to select what they want in order to make the specialist goods which are so important to that trade? Unless they are able to do this we shall not get the export trade which is necessary.

Mr. Belcher

I am aware of the importance of this matter, and we are doing everything we can to put it right.

Mr. Erroll

Is there any redress for spinners when they are supplied with unusable cotton?

Mr. Belcher

I would like to have notice of that question.