HC Deb 15 April 1946 vol 421 c2326
18. Mr. Drayson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that seedgrowers who in the past have distributed their products in paper bags are now using cotton containers; and if he is satisfied that the supply of textiles for clothing, furnishings and the export trade is yet adequate to warrant this use of an essential commodity.

Mr. Belcher

Yes, Sir. In certain cases where no other material would be equally suitable, low quality cotton cloth is being used for seed containers. The quantity of yarn used (about nine tons a year) is so small as to have no appreciable effect on the supply of textiles.

Mr. Drayson

Is the Minister aware that, before I put this Question on the Order Paper, I consulted Messrs. Sutton's, of Reading, who informed me they would much rather use paper than cotton bags if suitable paper were available?

Mr. Belcher

I was not aware that Messrs. Sutton's sold seeds in any particular kind of container.