§ 11. Captain Duncanasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that sisal ropes for fishermen have advanced in price by 13s. 6d. per cwt., and sisal trawl twine by 1½d. per lb.; and whether these advances in price have been approved by the Central Price Regulation Committee.
Mr. H. WilsonThe recent advances in prices of sisal rope and twine were due to the substantial increases in sisal prices at the beginning of the year, and were approved by the Central Price Regulation Committee. Concurrently with the advance in sisal rope prices, there was a reduction of about 10s. a cwt. in the price of manilla rope as a result of a fall in the price of raw manilla.
§ Captain DuncanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that continually increasing costs of production in the fishing industry are making it well-nigh impossible for it to be profitable, and that, unless something is done to reduce costs—because housewives will not pay beyond a certain price for their fish—the propects of the fishing industry will be really very depressing?
Mr. WilsonI am not sure what the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question was, but I am aware, of course, of the high prices of these goods. I would remind him, however, that sisal is on a completely free market; it is not controlled in this country.