§ 8. Mr. Charles Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the present shortage of supplies of sail cloth, and that, as a result, there is a danger that overseas markets may be lost to British sail makers; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir S. CrippsI am not aware of shortage of supplies of sail cloth made from flax, but supplies of cotton cloth generally are insufficient to meet all export orders. As I stated in reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Sir P. Macdonald) on 5th June, I hope that firms engaged on sail-making will be able to place fresh orders for future delivery of cotton sail cloth at an early date.