asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, owing to the price having been fixed too low, the supplies of flax from Belgium to the United Kingdom have so decreased as to threaten a serious shortage, while the supplies to Germany, which offers a higher price, have considerably increased; and whether, in view of this, he will take immediate steps to fix the maximum price of flax at a figure that will ensure sufficient supplies of that necessary article?

Steps have been taken in collaboration with the French Government to ensure the purchase of Belgian flax at reasonable prices. Supplies are coming forward in substantial quantities, and I do not think that to encourage prices to return to the high levels they attained a short time ago would necessarily result in larger quantities being secured for this country and France.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the supplies of flax?

We are getting larger quantities at the present time.