Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the view of the Cotton and Rayon Merchants' Association that converting activities, now exercised by his Department, should be restored immediately to the merchant converters, in view of the value of this section of the industry to post-war export trade; whether he is aware that such converting work as is now permitted is carried on by firms unacquainted with the work and unable to transact it on expert lines; and whether as the return of this work to merchant converters would not prejudice the war effort, he will now do so?
§ Mr. PeatThe representations on this subject made to the Ministry of Supply by the Cotton and Rayon Merchants' Association have been considered. The association has been informed that in existing circumstances no change cars be made in the procedure at present being followed. I am not aware that any converting work is carried on by firms unacquainted with the work and unable to transact it on expert lines.