§ Mr. Rileyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the sudden and steep depression which has occurred in the months of October and November in the woollen textile 577W industry; that in some districts the number of unemployed textile workers has more than doubled during the past six weeks; can he give any explanation for this depression in the woollen textile industry; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with it?
§ Captain WallaceMy right hon. Friend is aware that contrary to the usual trend at this season of the year there is an increase in unemployment in the wool textile industry. I understand that this is largely due to the withholding of orders as the result of the recent fall in the price of raw wool, but I have no reason to suppose that the recession is other than temporary.