§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, whether he will make a statement in regard to future trading arrangements for jute and jute products, the abolition of jute control, and the reversion of all trading services in respect of these commodities from public to private account.
Mr. AmoryIn accordance with the Government's policy of restoring trade to private channels, it has been decided that the purchase and importation of raw jute by the Jute Control shall cease at an early date following discussion with the industry, which my noble Friend will institute immediately. Public trading in imported jute goods must continue meanwhile until appropriate measures to safeguard the United Kingdom jute manufacturing industry under conditions conducive to efficiency can be worked out and introduced. The Government is giving full consideration to this problem, but cannot promise any early solution.