HC Deb 05 February 1954 vol 523 cc80-2W
Mr. H. Wilson

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what percentage the production of cotton yarn and cotton piece-goods, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 1953 exceeded the figures for the fourth quarter of 1952; the percentage of the industry s production going for export in the calendar years 1952 and 1953, and the fourth quarter of each of these years.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Figures made available by the Cotton Board show that 17 per cent. more single cotton yarn (including cotton waste yarn) was spun and 18 per cent. more cotton cloth was woven in the fourth quarter of 1953 than in the corresponding period of 1952. The following table shows exports of cotton yarn and of cotton cloth as a percentage of production during the periods shown.

1952 1953 Fourth quarter 1952 Fourth quarter 1953
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
Cotton yarn(a) 6.7 6.7 6.2 7.1
Cotton cloth 42.0 38.5 42.4 34.3
>(a) Exports of single and doubled yarn, and of finished thread, as a percentage of single yarn spun.

The figures for exports of cotton cloth used in the calculation of the percentages include exports of foreign-woven cloth finished in the United Kingdom, which are estimated to amount to about one fifth of the total exports in 1952 and about one tenth in 1953. On the other hand they exclude exports of other manufactures of cotton.