HC Deb 20 January 1949 vol 460 cc319-20
29. Sir W. Smithers

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered a letter and pamphlet from the Liverpool Cotton Association which have been sent to him; and if, in order to accelerate the economic recovery of Britain he will now re-open the Liverpool Cotton Market.

Mr. H. Wilson

I have considered the letter and pamphlet from the Liverpool Cotton Association, but I am unable to accept the implication that the Liverpool Cotton Market should be re-opened. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on Tuesday last.

Sir W. Smithers

In view of the fact that Ministers are appealing for increased exports, especially invisible exports, why close down one of our best export earners? Why not re-open it? And is not this the Communist technique of saying one thing and doing the opposite?