Mr. DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the recent developments in the spinning of ramie fibre; whether he is aware of the advantages which accrue by blending ramie fibre with cotton or silk in various classes of goods; whether, at present, in many cases British planters obtain only a poor yield of ramie through defective methods; and whether, in view of the importance of ramie to the textile industry, ho will Lake stops for instruction and encouragement to be given to planters to cultivate ramie fibre on the most economical and approved methods, and to manufacturers to enable them to set up machinery for the successful spinning of ramie yarn?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy attention has been drawn to the statement regarding these developments, and consideration will be given to the matter.