asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the reduced stocks of paper tubes for the cotton-spinning industry; that unless effective action is taken in the near future to assist the manufacturers of these tubes with the requisite raw material there is danger of a crisis developing in the cottonspinning industry in early August; and what steps are being taken to deal with this potential industrial emergency.

I am aware of the shortage of paper tubes and arrangements have been made to increase the supplies available.

Will the President of the Board of Trade ensure that the Paper Controller keeps in close contact with the cotton industry, because through this crisis of reduced stocks of paper tubes some firms have been in danger of closing down some of their spindles?

It is because close contact has been kept that we made arrangements to have more tubes made.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that a coal crisis is feared more in Lancashire than is the crisis referred to by the hon. Member for Preston (Mr. Shackleton)?