§ 69. Mr. Austinasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent prices of textiles for home consumption and exports have been affected by the price minimum regulations enforced by the Yarn Spinners Association; if it is his intention to take action other than reference to the Monopolies Commission to end this restrictive practice; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BottomleyI cannot at present add to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 4th November when replying to the Debate on the cotton industry on the Motion for the Adjournment.
§ Mr. AustinYes, Sir, but this monopoly on the part of the Yarn Spinners Association is affecting the price of cotton, and would not the best thing be to reimpose the price controls which were lifted in April of this year?
§ Mr. OsborneWould the Secretary for Overseas Trade state that it is true that the textiles now coming through are largely made from yarns purchased before devaluation, that there has been no rise in prices and that practically all textile manufacturers have refrained, as requested by the President of the Board of Trade, from increasing prices?