§ Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture, what is the attitude of his department on the subject of encouraging British farmers to grow flax; whether this is regarded as a paying crop; and, if so, why it is not more extensively cultivated?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAttempts have been made to encourage the cultivation of flax in this country since the War, but hitherto the results have been disappointing. The Linen Industry Research Association, in collaboration with the Linen Industry of Belfast, are however carrying out experimental work in Norfolk, with a view to determining whether, by the use 1311W of pedigree seed and an improved process of fibre-extraction, flax can be made a paying crop in suitable areas in Great Britain. The prospects of this experiment appear to be favourable, but it is too early to come to a definite conclusion. The future of the flax crop in this country must, of course, depend upon the world price of flax which in recent years has been subject to wide fluctuations.