asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, in spite of the steps taken by his Department to increase the allocation of cotton yarn for thread for the home market, there is still an insufficient quantity of thread in the London area to meet the demands of clothing manufacturers; and if he will take steps to ensure adequate supplies of cotton thread to allow the limited supplies of cloth to be manufactured into clothing.

Supplies of sewing thread are not abundant, but I have no reason to suppose that they are insufficient to enable clothing manufacturers to maintain production. If the hon. Member will let me have details of any particular cases he has in mind I shall be glad to look into them.