§ 28. Mr. Haleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has ceased to publish in the Monthly Digest of Statistics figures showing the imports of cotton piece goods.
§ Mr. MaudlingI think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Figures for imports of "woven cotton fabric, grey unbleached", which are the only category of cotton piece goods which have been included in the Monthly Digest of Statistics, are still given in Table 118, "Other selected imports".
§ Mr. HaleIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that that information is wholly insufficient for any Lancashire Member, that it is now presented among other selected imports, that the amount of information given concerning the textile industry generally has been reduced and that we have to ask Questions month after month to find out about these imports, which are a serious menace to the industry?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe hon. Member asked why we have ceased to publish certain figures. The answer is that we have not ceased to do so.