HC Deb 13 July 1916 vol 84 cc537-8
69. Mr. DUFFY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the wool trade of Ireland at this season of the year, particularly in the wool-producing districts of county Galway, is stopped by the new Regulation issued by the Government; is he aware that the farmers generally depend upon the sale of their wool at this season to meet all the obligations incident to the running of their farms; whether representations have been made to him by the commercial public to the effect that all trade and business is paralysed as a result of the suspension of the wool trade and the consequent non-circulation of money; whether he is aware that a state of apprehension prevails as to the intention of the Government to fix the price of this year's clip at from 30 to 40 per cent, below the prices that ruled last year; and whether, having regard to the urgency of opening this market without delay to the number of people who depend upon it, he will state what course the Government intend to pursue in the matter?

Mr. FORSTER

I appreciate the urgency of making arrangements to purchase the Irish clip at the earliest opportunity to meet the temporary difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. As the result of negotiations with the Irish Department of Agriculture and representatives of the various interests concerned, I hope that arrangements will be made to start purchasing at an early date.

Mr. DUFFY

Can the right hon. Gentle-man say what he means by "an early date"?

Mr. FORSTER

I am afraid I cannot give my hon. Friend a precise date, but I. hope by the end of the month.

Mr. KILBRIDE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see, when the prices of Irish wool are being regulated by the Irish Board of Agriculture, that they will be on the same scale as, I understand, the arrangement is that has already been given to the English wool growers?

Mr. FORSTER

Yes.

Mr. DUFFY

Does the right hon. Gentleman fully realise the importance of this matter as it affects a large class of people in the West of Ireland?

Mr. FORSTER

I hope I fully realise its importance.

Mr. DUFFY

Is the right hon. Gentle-man aware of the fact that at this season of the year all classes of people in the West of Ireland, shopkeepers and everyone concerned, depend altogether upon the proceeds from the sale of wool?