§ The following Questions stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 49. Mr. MACLEAN,—To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the recently concluded trade agreement with Czechoslovakia.
§ 51. Mr. BorromLEv,—To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will
280§ now make a statement about the recent Anglo-Czechoslovakian trade talks.
§ Mr. L. M. LeverOn a point of order. Last Thursday, with your consent, Mr. Speaker, I gave notice to the President of the Board of Trade on the question of the proposed contract between this country and Czechoslovakia in so far as it affected the importation of printed cotton. On the Order Paper there are these two vital Questions on this subject, which I think ought to be answered publicly today by the President of the Board of Trade as a matter of public importance and public information so that we may know exactly what he proposes to do in this matter. We are most anxious that there should be no importation of printed cottons into this country so long as there is such widespread unemployment in the textile industry in Lancashire.
§ Mr. SpeakerThis is the old question. I am very sorry that we did not get to these Questions today, but I have repeatedly stated that unless before Question time the Minister specifically asks my leave to answer a Question, then it cannot be answered if it is not reached. The hon. Member will receive a written reply and on the basis of that he can act as he is advised.