TEXTILE INDUSTRY. (Hansard, 17 May 1938)

§ Major Procter
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increasing competition of whale oil with vegetable oil produced by British Colonies, by West Africa particularly; and whether, in view of the adverse effect on British textile exports to those Colonies, any remedial steps can be taken?

Mr. Stanley:
I am aware that whale oil is being used to an increasing extent as an alternative to vegetable oils in the manufacture of certain products but I have no reason to think that this is having any appreciable effect on the sale of British textiles in the Colonies.

§ Mr. Tomlinson
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered a communication from the Bolton and District Operative Cotton Spinners' Association calling his attention to the increases that have taken place in the customs tariff on cotton yarns and piece goods imported into Egypt, and expressing their opinion that such increases will 241W be inimical to the Lancashire cotton industry and detrimental to Egypt; and what action the Government has taken with a view to influencing the Egyptian Government to change its policy?

Mr. Stanley:
Yes, Sir. As I informed the hon. Member for Moss Side (Mr. W. R. Duckworth) on 3rd May, this question has been discussed with a deputation from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce; and His Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo is making representations to the Egyptian Government.

§ Mr. W. R. Duckworth
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that detailed proposals for enabling legislation for the cotton industry have now been published and criticisms and alternative suggestions from other sources are also available, he will now state when it will be possible to announce the intentions of the Government in this matter?

Country of consignment. 1913 1927 1931 1936 1937

Canada: £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000

Imports … … … … 30,488 55,152 32,841 75,128 88,386

Exports … … … … 23,795 29,250 20,551 23,243 27,562

Re-exports … … … … 3,512 2,110 1,600 1,085 1,259

Australia:

Imports … … … … 38,065 52,740 45,679 61,435 71.805

Exports … … … … 34,471 61,179 14,528 32,256 37,531

Re-exports. … … … … 3,358 2,563 625 723 755

Union of South Africa (excluding South-West Africa Territory):

Imports … … … … 12,301 21,324 13,120 13,555 17,956

Exports … … … … 22,185 30,312 21,857 37.511 41,432

Re-exports … … … … 1,861 1,531 1,073 703 756

British India (including Burma):

Imports … … … … 48,420 65,840 36,711 51.913 64,820

Exports … … … … 70,273 85,045 32,289 34.122 39,104

Re-exports … … … … 1,397 1,292 801 486 529

NOTES:—(1) The particulars for 1913 relate to the trade of the British Isles as a whole, whereas those for the later years relate to the trade of Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.

(2) The 1937 figures are provisional.

Country of consignment.	1913	1927	1931	1936	1937
Canada:					£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Imports	…	…	…	…	30,488	55,152	32,841	75,128	88,386
Exports	…	…	…	…	23,795	29,250	20,551	23,243	27,562
Re-exports	…	…	…	…	3,512	2,110	1,600	1,085	1,259
Australia:
Imports	…	…	…	…	38,065	52,740	45,679	61,435	71.805
Exports	…	…	…	…	34,471	61,179	14,528	32,256	37,531
Re-exports.	…	…	…	…	3,358	2,563	625	723	755
Union of South Africa (excluding South-West Africa Territory):
Imports	…	…	…	…	12,301	21,324	13,120	13,555	17,956
Exports	…	…	…	…	22,185	30,312	21,857	37.511	41,432
Re-exports	…	…	…	…	1,861	1,531	1,073	703	756
British India (including Burma):
Imports	…	…	…	…	48,420	65,840	36,711	51.913	64,820
Exports	…	…	…	…	70,273	85,045	32,289	34.122	39,104
Re-exports	…	…	…	…	1,397	1,292	801	486	529
NOTES:—(1) The particulars for 1913 relate to the trade of the British Isles as a whole, whereas those for the later years relate to the trade of Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.
(2) The 1937 figures are provisional.