§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the. President of the Board of Trade what percentage of machine capacity now enters into production in the cotton trade; and how much of this is approximately absorbed in the home trade, the foreign trade and the Empire trade?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSI regret that I am unable to state exactly the percentage of normal full-time production which is now being worked by spindles and looms in the cotton industry. According to the November issue of the "International Cotton Bulletin," the organ of the International Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations, the actual production in the American cotton spinning section in this country was, in October, between 70 and 80 per cent. of normal, while in the Egyptian section the latest position was satisfactory. It was added that in the weaving section 70 to 80 per cent. of the looms were running. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave him on 27th November regarding the distribution of our cotton trade as between these markets.