§ 32. Mr. Prescottasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the proposed importation of yarn for the Lancashire textile industry.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe present shortage of cotton and rayon yarns is seriously hampering the production of textiles of all kinds, and the import of such yarns will be licensed from any available source, but the quantity is not likely to be large. The purposes for which imported yarns may be used will be subject to the normal control arrangements applying to the use of domestic produced yarns but will not be restricted to any particular section of the textile industry.
§ Mr. PrescottIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the very grave concern in Lancashire over the announcement that it is necessary to import yarns; can he say how long this state of affairs is to continue, and what steps is he taking to terminate it at the earliest possible moment?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am afraid it will continue until Lancashire can produce more yarn.