asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for the third quarter of 1964 the home production, imports and exports of cotton and man-made fibre fabrics; and if he will make a statement on his long-term plans for dealing with the state of the industry in relation to the burden of imports.

The figures are as follows: home production, 361 million linear yards: imports and exports, 218 and 76 million square yards respectively. In answer to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barnett) on 10th December.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the bad imports position was growing worse during the summer and that it has been partly saved by the emergency measures which were taken recently? However, will he say whether he will endeavour to liberalise the 1962 Agreement from G.A.T.T.? Also, is he in a position to say when he may initiate plans finally to identify the place of the textile industry in the national economy?

I have discussed this matter with the Cotton Board. We hope to agree on proposals both with the Board and with our partners in the Commonwealth in the first half of next year.

Would it not help the man-made fibre industry if the 15 per cent. import surcharge were taken off its raw material?

As the hon. and learned Member knows, that will be done as soon as the situation of this country permits.