§ Sir F. SANDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of new companies that have been formed; the number of new factories built or under construction; and the new capital involved in the development in the silk industry at home since the introduction of the silk duties?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKSince the 1st July, 1925, some 46 companies proposing to engage in the silk or artificial silk industry have been registered in England and Wales, with a nominal capital approximating to £4,000,000. Information as to the progress of the companies is not available in the majority of cases, but such information as I have is to the effect that three factories are under construction, and that four existing factories, not previously used for silk manufacture, have been taken over.
§ Mr. DUCKWORTHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the importance of the matter to trade, he will specifically instruct all consular authorities to report upon the spread and popularity or the reverse of British manufactures either of artificial silk or of a mixture of artificial silk and cotton?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELMy Department has already requested its overseas representatives to supply information which may assist the sale of British manufacturer of artificial silk and artificial silk mixtures. I shall be glad to communicate with them again in the sense suggested by the hon. Member.