§ 13. Sir Ronald Rossasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will undertake that no shirt and collar-making material shall be exported until the export requirements of shirt and collar factories in the United Kingdom have been fully provided for.
§ Mr. MarquandI cannot give the general undertaking sought by the hon. Member. Shirtings and cotton cloths exported from this country are essential to the economy of Empire and other countries from which we, in our turn, draw supplies vital to us. We shall, however, take all possible opportunities of increasing supplies to United Kingdom shirt makers.
§ Sir R. RossAre the hon. Gentleman and the President of the Board of Trade satisfied with a policy which tends to build up foreign competitors against our home manufacturers?
§ Mr. MarquandNo, Sir. We are, unfortunately, in a position where we have not merely to restrict the exports from this country very severely, but to allocate those exports to those particular countries to which we have obligations. I am certain we are doing our best.
§ Major HaughtonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that so far as cloth supplies are concerned, the light clothing trade is in a worse position today than ever before; and if the figures of the making up trade are submitted, will he give them consideration?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir. We will always consider figures, but we know, of course, that not sufficient cloth is reaching the makers up of all kinds of clothing. The reason is shortage of yarn. The bottleneck is at the spinning end.