HC Deb 04 November 1946 vol 428 cc1042-3
41. Sir W. Smithers

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the sharp fall in prices of raw cotton, he will immediately remove all controls from manufactured cotton goods and allow the law of supply and demand freely to operate both in cash and futures dealings.

Mr. H. Hynd

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is not this the fourth Question asked by the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers)?

Mr. Speaker

I think it is the third. I was watching that, too.

Mr. Marquand

The answer to Question No. 41 is "No, Sir."

Sir W. Smithers

Is the Minister aware that bulk purchase, the closing of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange and the refusal to deal in futures, are the main causes of these violent fluctuations, and are driving these very valuable invisible exports to foreign centres?

Mr. Marquand

I think I answered that sort of question very fully on Thursday night.