78. Mr. Hakeasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of hessian in the furniture trade; and what steps he is taking to improve the supply.
§ Mr. RhodesI am aware that the furniture industry, like others who use hessian, has had its allocation reduced, in consequence of the restricted supplies which are being received from India. The Board of Trade is endeavouring to secure all available supplies from India and other sources, but I regret that I can see no prospect of the furniture industry's allocation being restored to its former level until exports of hessian to the United Kingdom from India return to their previous level.