§ 10. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a shortage of No. 5 ringed hooks in Looe, Cornwall; that cotton for long lining is in short supply and if he will take immediate action to rectify this position which is hindering the supply of food to the United Kingdom.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe present scarcity of No. 5 hooks is due to the general shortage of steel. I understand that cotton for long lining is not generally in short supply, but I am having inquiries made into the position at Looe and will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Marshallis the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that apart from the shortage of cotton, and apart from the shortage of No. 5 hooks, of which I have given him the correspondence, sisal for ropes is also in very short supply?
§ Sir S. CrippsI will have the matter looked into.