80. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the prohibition of the sale of wool will press hardly on many sheep farmers; and if, while the prohibition exists, suitable arrangements will be made for farmers to obtain an adequate advance without interest on their crops?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe necessary organisation for purchasing wool from the farmer is now being set up, and as soon as arrangements can be made to take delivery it is proposed to pay the farmer 75 per cent, of the estimated value of his clip, the balance being paid as soon as the wool has been inspected. Interest at 5 per cent, will be credited to farmers who are required to retain their wool after a certain period.
§ Mr. PETOCan the hon. Gentleman say whether all the wool will be bought on the premises of the farmer or whether it will be delivered at the usual place of sale?
§ Mr. FORSTERThat depends upon circumstances.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the hon. Gentleman say whether the rules here laid down are applied to Ireland?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEAre the Government going to resell that which they do not want?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes; we sell all the wool which is not found suitable for military requirements.
§ Mr. GWYNNEThen will the profits be given over to the farmers?
§ Colonel YATEWill the price of the wool be paid at once?
§ Mr. FORSTERSeventy-five per cent, will be paid by way of advance, and the balance of 25 per cent, will be paid as soon as the wool has been inspected.
§ Mr. G. FABERWho fixes the price?
§ Mr. FORSTERI hope that it will be done by agreement. As I have already said in answer to a question, our proposal is that we should take the pre-war price and add a suitable percentage to meet the extra cost the farmer now has to bear.