HC Deb 12 April 1951 vol 486 cc1165-6
7. Air Commodore Harvey

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of raw silk is now in this country.

Mr. Rhodes

Figures of stocks of raw silk are given in the Monthly Digest of Statistics issued by the Central Statistical Office. Stocks at the end of February were 505,000 lb.

Air Commodore Harvey

Will the hon. Gentleman say what this represents in terms of production, and how long it will last the industry?

Mr. Rhodes

In terms of 1950 production, nearly four months.

Mr. Paton

In view of the great importance of the export of fine silk products from this country, is my hon. Friend satisfied that it would be possible to maintain effective supplies of raw silk for our factories?

Mr. Rhodes

I am sorry, but I did not get the point of the last part of that question.

Mr. Paton

If I may repeat it, is my hon. Friend satisfied that it will be possible to maintain effective supplies of raw silk for our factories?

Mr. Rhodes

Definitely. Import licences are freely given now for any supplies of raw silk for our industry.