HC Deb 28 October 1946 vol 428 cc266-7
36. Sir I. Fraser

asked the President of the Board of Trade what imports of wooden bobbins for the wire, cotton and thread trade he has authorised.

Sir S. Cripps

During the nine months January—September, 1946, licences for the import of 474,689 gross wooden reels and bobbins, valued at £99,328 c.i.f., were granted for the home trade.

Sir I. Fraser

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take into account that in the constituency of Lonsdale and in many other rural constituencies, there are valuable rural industries which make these bobbins from British coppice wood, and that he is threatening their existence by these imports?

Sir S. Cripps

As soon as we can get sufficient supplies from home sources we shall not require to import them.

Sir I. Fraser

But would the right hon. and learned Gentleman prevent these coppice woods from being burnt as firewood and thereby help the industries?

Sir S. Cripps

That is another question.