HC Deb 11 July 1950 vol 477 cc95-6W
78. Captain Orr

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many looms there are in Hong Kong capable of producing cotton cellular cloth; and what is their annual output.

2. Mr. Cook

Both the number of looms and their output are difficult to assess since changes to the machinery can be made very rapidly to meet market requirements. The following is an approximate estimate of the looms available:

Woven Material

(a) At present there are about 800 looms producing cotton cellular cloth which can produce about 20,000,000 yards annually.

(b) There are in addition 3,000 looms which can be fitted with a special attachment so that cellular cloth can be woven.

Knitted Material

There are approximately 1,000 circular knitting machines in the Colony and all these can produce cellular material. Maximum output of these is 70,000,000 yards per annum.