§ 30. Mr. Marplesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will authorise an official ballot, on the usual democratic lines, of all the cotton spinners to ascertain how many are in favour of making their purchases under the prewar system of trading and how many are in favour of making their purchases from a central buying commission under Government control.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MarplesIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Federation of Master Spinners recently
§ Captain MarsdenCan the Minister say whether this timber which comes to this country comes in British or Russian ships?
§ Sir S. CrippsPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put that down.
§ Following is the answer:
§ held a ballot on such lines, and that less than one per cent. were in favour of buying from a central Government buying agency and over 99 per cent. in favour of a return to the normal conditions? Will not a democratic Minister and a democratically minded Government take that fact into account?
§ Sir S. CrippsIf the ballot has already been taken, it is unnecessary to consider it.
§ 31. Mr. Marplesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether Liverpool is to be the centre of the new Government-controlled cotton buying scheme.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo decision has yet been reached as to the headquarters of the proposed Cotton Buying Commission. It is, however, intended that it should be in Lancashire.
§ Mr. MarplesWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider that Liverpool is the centre of Lancashire from this point of view?
§ Sir S. CrippsIt is one of the centres, certainly.