73. Mr. Scott-Elliotasked the President of the Board of Trade whether with a view to facilitating the export of cotton and rayon piece goods, he will consider abolishing export licences in respect of these goods.
§ Mr. BottomleyMy right hon. Friend has decided to remove from export licensing control at an early date piece goods made wholly of rayon, but I regret that cotton piece goods cannot yet be freed.
Mr. Scott-ElliotWill my hon. Friend justify the decision in respect of cotton piece goods, and further, is he not aware that the present licensing system slows down exports and militates against the production of those standard lines for hard currency markets which he himself is seeking to develop?
§ Mr. BottomleyWe cannot encourage excessive draining away from home supplies.
§ Mr. OsborneIs not the Minister aware that it is not export licences which are making it difficult to export cotton goods, but the increased price of cotton? Cannot something be done to keep down the price of raw materials?