The report of the Textile Committee [in London] recommends immediate measures to increase the output of cotton in India, Egypt and Sudan, also the control of export of Egyptian cotton in order to safeguard the requirements of the British Empire and its Allies and prevent any leakage to or stoppage for account of enemy States. The report also recommends immediate measures to stimulate production of flax in Ireland, Canada, India and other parts of the Empire. It suggests that the Allies take steps to conserve the supply of flax for each other’s use in priority to other demands. Regarding jute the Committee recommends that advantage be taken of India’s monopoly of production of jute to safeguard for Britain and her Allies supplies of jute and advises the imposition of an export duty. Five pounds per ton has been suggested by experts on shipments of raw jute from India to all destinations with total rebate of duty in favour of the British Empire and graduated rebates in favour of the Allies and graduated rebates in favour of neutral countries offering reciprocal concessions.
