That is perfectly true; but what I wish to remind the House of is that up to the time of the currency changes there was an interrupted increase, but that since these changes were introduced there has been the most serious Crisis in the Cotton Industry in India that has ever occurred since its foundation.

The first great Crisis in the Cotton Industry took place during the American Civil War, for reasons exactly opposite to those which are operating to-day.

In view of the very serious spread of short-time working in areas like Blackburn and the rest of Lancashire, could the hon. Gentleman tell the House what plans his right hon. Friend has for dealing with the Crisis in the Cotton Industry?

Mr. Silverman asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to deal with the developing Crisis in the Cotton Industry and to prevent a serious loss of production and trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to deal with the developing Crisis in the Cotton Industry and to prevent a serious loss of production and trade.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a number of Questions from both sides of the House to the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Labour showing a great deal of anxiety about the developing Crisis in the Cotton Industry and in Lancashire generally?

The French Cotton Association was right when it said:So long as a system of quotas is not adopted by the British, the Crisis of the Cotton Industry in Lancashire will continue.