asked the President of the Board of Trade how many square yards of rayon piece goods are represented by the figure of £3,520,000, which, under a recently concluded agreement with France, will be allowed to come into this country in 1947 for use in the home market; and if the agreement is for cloth of standard width, or if it includes ribbons and other narrow fabrics.

The sum of £3,520,000 covers broad woven rayon piece goods only. Separate arrangements have been made for narrow fabrics. The value covers a wide variety of rayon fabrics ranging from dress and furnishing fabrics to umbrella cloth, and varying so widely in price that it is not possible to provide any useful estimate of the number of square yards involved.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there is a strong report that the average price for rayon piece goods exported from this country during 1946 was 3s. 2d. per yard? As a figure of 3,000,000 yards was given for this £3,520,000, are we buying in a dear market and selling in a cheap market?

I cannot confirm or otherwise the rumours which are current about this. I have stated the facts and we believe this to be a satisfactory deal.

Does the Minister recognise that Japanese cheap textiles form an essential part of the consumer needs of the East generally, which cannot be met from any other source?

I am quite aware of that, but this Question deals with French rayon.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend arrange to publish, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, details of the amounts being exported and the price, so that we may know what is happening?

It would not be possible until we ascertain what is being bought. This is the maximum figure, beyond which purchases will not be allowed.