§ 8. Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that adequate supplies of raw materials are available to meet the domestic clothing needs and to fulfil export requirements.
Mr. H. WilsonOur textile industries are very largely dependent on imported raw materials. I cannot give a categorical assurance for the future before we have concluded discussions with certain producing countries, although supplies are assured for a considerable time ahead.
§ Mr. OsborneCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he is not considering the re-imposition of clothes rationing in the near future?
§ Mr. W. FletcherWill the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that a very high proportion of the stocks of cotton in the country is practically unspinnable?
Mr. WilsonI do not agree with that statement but the spread of the stocks among different grades and types has been very much taken into account in our representations to the United States.
§ Mr. AsshetonHow much of the stock of raw cotton is unspinnable and unlikely to be of any use to the Lancashire cotton trade?
Mr. WilsonI should require notice of that, but I can say that the stocks are not as well balanced as we should like them to be. That is why we need more from the United States.