Mr. Baker Whiteasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the country of origin of the £80,000 of raw cotton recently purchased by the Food and Supply Commission in Hamburg for delivery to the United Kingdom; and why this cotton was purchased in Germany and not in the country of origin.
§ Sir H. ShawcrossI assume the hon. Member is referring to the Raw Cotton Commission, whose commercial activities are a matter for their own decision. I am, however, informed that the Raw Cotton Commission have recently bought 500 bales of United States cotton offered for sale in Hamburg. This cotton was not obtainable in the country of origin because United States cotton is subject to export licence. No doubt the Raw Cotton Commission will continue to buy supplies of desirable cotton wherever it is offered on commercially attractive terms