HC Deb 05 November 1946 vol 428 c226W
Mr. Erroll

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered a letter sent to the Chairman of the Raw Cotton Buying Advisory Committee by the Alexandria Cotton Exporters Association on 19th September, 1946; whether a reply has been sent; and, in view of the importance of the matter, if he will publish the correspondence.

Mr. Marquand

I have seen a letter from the Alexandria Cotton Exporters' Association suggesting certain changes in the method by which the Cotton Control buys its supplies of Egyptian cotton. The Cotton Controller, after consulting the advisory Raw Cotton Committee, replied that, pending the setting up by legislation of the Cotton Buying Commission, the Committee felt that the present system of purchase should continue, leaving it to the Commission, when constituted, to decide on the future method of purchase. I see no sufficient reason to publish the correspondence.