§ Sir R. Glynasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether an assurance can be given that the Admiralty, as one of the Government Departments consuming the largest quantity of flax, are willing to undertake to utilise home-grown flax up to a definite quantity annually for a period of years that would be sufficient guarantee to firms considering the erection of mills for the treatment of flax by the most modern methods; and whether, as it is for the Admiralty a matter of urgent importance that as much flax should be grown in the United Kingdom as is possible, he will take such steps as lie in his power to provide adequate facilities for its treatment?
§ Mr. ShakespeareBy carrying out large-scale trials of canvas fabrics manufactured from flax fibre extracted by the most modern process from home-grown crops of flax, the Admiralty has given practical evidence of its interest in the development of a domestic supply of flax. The results so far obtained are sufficiently promising for the Admiralty to undertake to specify that a proportion of its future2630W annual requirements of canvas fabrics should be made from home-grown "natural" flax fibre.
The Admiralty's requirements alone would scarcely afford an adequate guarantee to firms contemplating the erection of mills for treatment of flax, but should tend to encourage development on the desired lines.
The cultivation and treatment of flax in the United Kingdom is not a matter of importance to the Admiralty alone, but should be of great concern to the linen industry itself. Such facilities as lie within its province are being afforded by the Admiralty to encourage the rapid development of the new methods of treatment.