§ Sir G. Hutchinsonasked the Minister of Materials what steps he is taking to reduce the losses of the Directorate of Home Flax Production.
§ Sir A. SalterEconomies in administration and research have already resulted in a reduction of staff, and further reductions will take place. New arrangements for operating the mills, which it is hoped will reduce the cost of operation, are also under consideration. The cost of growing flax, however, is fixed by the return the farmer receives for other crops, whereas the selling price of the processed fibre depends on world prices, which have recently been low.