§ Captain Browneasked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the shortage of flax and the large quantity required by the Government for their supplies of linen dowlas, he will consider using a union cloth, composed of linen and cotton, which would allow of a larger quantity of flax to be released for civil requirements and enable export trade to be maintained and so prevent large numbers of skilled operatives becoming unemployed?
§ Mr. BurginI can assure the hon. and gallant Member that every endeavour will be made to safeguard the interests of the export trade as regards flax supplies.
1358WThe question of the employment of a substitute for linen dowlas is being actively pursued.