§ Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will make a statement on the closing of the three Scottish flax factories.
§ Sir S. CrippsI have been asked to reply. Of the 17 factories under the Home Flax Production Scheme, three are in Scotland. The costs of production at these factories had been high and well above the average for Great Britain. Climatic conditions in these districts arc generally unfavourable to flax production. Owing to improvement in flax supply the acreage to be contracted for in Great Britain in 1946 is under 30,000 compared to about 45,000 in 1945. Production will be concentrated in those factories where the best results can be expected. The Scottish factories will therefore be among those that are to be closed.