§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date the President of the Board of Trade received proposals from the Cotton Board for the reorganisation of the cotton industry; and whether they can now make a statement on the Government's proposals to place the industry on a sound and competitive basis.]
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, with your Lordships' permission, I propose to make a statement on the Government's proposals for the reorganisation of the cotton industry at about half past three, so that it may be synchronised with an identical statement which will be made in another place by my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade.
§ LORD AMWELLMy Lords, with reference to the question of putting the cotton industry on a competitive basis, have the Government taken note of the suggested alternative put forward in last Wednesday's debate by "my noble friend" Lord Amwell?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEI should be grateful if your Lordships would be good enough to await the statement which I ask your Lordships' leave to make. I do not want to anticipate in time what is said in another place.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMay I thank the noble Earl for his Answer?