HC Deb 05 February 1934 vol 285 c807W
Mr. CHORLTON

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of raw cotton used in China compared with this country and Japan for 1933?

Dr. BURGIN

The latest comparable figures relate to the year 1932. For that year the estimated consumption of raw cotton in China was 1,161 million lbs.; in the United Kingdom, 1,245 million lbs.; and in Japan, 1,293 million lbs.

Mr. REMER

asked the Prime Minister if he will grant a day to discuss the position, in all its aspects, of the cotton industry?

The PRIME MINISTER

The position of the cotton industry has been the subject of Debate on several occasions recently and, as my hon. Friend will be aware, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has very recently visited Lancashire in order to obtain for the Government first-hand information regarding the problems of the industry and the views of those engaged in it. I do not think, therefore, that a further Debate on the subject at this moment would be helpful.