§ 90. Mr. GILBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what quantities of wool are at present held by the Government in this country, if any further consignments are arriving to the order of the Government, for what further period it is intended to maintain the Wool Control Department; if wool is held here on the joint account of the Home and Dominion Governments; and if can give an approximate figure of the profits made by this Department for the last financial year for the Home and Dominion Governments?
§ 15. Mr. GLANVILLEasked whether the Australian wool-growers are to receive a portion of the profits made by the Government on the re-sale of Australian wool; and, if so, what is the amount so payable to those growers?
Mr. HOPEI have been asked to answer these questions. The answer to the first part of question No.15 is in the affirmative, by virtue of the agreements of 1916 and 1918. The figures for the 1750 last financial year cannot be given, but the amount due to Australia up to the 31st March,1919, is £6,486,991. The quantity of wool held by the Government in this country is approximately 690,000 bales, and as under the agreements the Government has purchased the wool clips of Australia and New Zealand up to the 30th instant, large further consignments will in due course arrive in this country. No Government control of wool now exists, but it will be necessary to maintain the wool section of the Ministry until the Government purchases of wool have been disposed of. The wool referred to is the property of the British Government, but the Commonwealth and Dominion Governments are interested under the agreements in the profits realised on the sale of wools used for other than British Government purposes.