HC Deb 10 March 1953 vol 512 cc1103-4
18. Mr. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade to make a statement on the future policy of raw cotton importation and of his recent conversations with the trade organisations involved.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East (Mr. Horobin) on 5th March. I am glad to say that all the organisations which were represented on the Cotton Import Committee have agreed to be represented on the Review Committee. I am circulating the Members' names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Osborne

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the trade organisations involved were pleased and satisfied with the arrangements made?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The trade organisations involved, that is, the spinners, the merchants, and the trade unions, have all expressed their willingness to co-operate in finding an answer to some of the practical problems involved, and I should like to express my appreciation of their action in this matter.

Mr. Rhodes

Will the right hon. Gentleman favourably consider giving the same facilities to the wool industry?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If the hon. Gentleman would like to put down a Question on the wool industry, I should consider it.

The following have accepted invitations from the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Materials to serve on the Cotton Import (Review) Committee:

Mr. P. W. Carey of the Ministry of Materials and Mr. R. R. D. McIntosh of the Board of Trade have been appointed Joint Secretaries.