81. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the President of the Board of Trade if the knitting and hosiery industry is of importance to many districts in Scotland; and if he will relax the conditions under which the sale of wool is prohibited in such districts?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe bulk of the 1916 clip of British and Irish wool will be reserved for military purposes, and in arranging distribution regard will be had to the capacity of Scottish firms to undertake military orders. Such portion of the 1916 clip of British and Irish wool as is unsuitable for military purposes will be sold in the open market.
Mr. WASONWill the hon. Gentleman receive a deputation on this matter with reference to the special circumstances of the knitting industry and the deprivation of those people of their means of living?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes: I will be very glad to receive a deputation.