HC Deb 27 January 1955 vol 536 cc404-5
14. Mr. P. Wells

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what use it is intended to put the five flax factories which will become redundant when the Home Flax Scheme is discontinued after this year's harvest.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Discussions are in progress on the disposal of the five flax factories which will be closed after the processing of the 1954 harvest. I am not yet in a position to say to what use they will be put.

Mr. Wells

In view of our experience during the late war, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that it is a wise policy to rely entirely upon imports for our flax supplies?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am satisfied that this Scheme ought to be wound up, for reasons which have been explained on another occasion. It was thoroughly uneconomic and was costing a lot of money; but that is not the Question on the Order Paper.

Captain Duncan

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the farmers of this country regard flax as a very unpopular crop to grow.