§ 18. Mr. Bossomasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the precentage of increase he permits between the buying and selling price of raw wool, or is this unlimited.
§ Mr. RhodesThe Board of Trade do not control either the buying price or the selling price of raw wool.
§ Mr. BossomIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the serious reflection that this has on the cost of all clothing and, without attempting to control it, will he give some guidance to help in this situation?
§ Mr. RhodesMay I ask, for my own guidance, whether the hon. Gentleman is referring to home-grown. Australian or other overseas wool?
§ Mr. PagetWill my hon. Friend consider introducing the bulk buying of wool, because bulk buying has proved so effective in keeping prices down?
§ Mr. RhodesNot while the market is acting as it is.
§ 23. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large increases in the price of wool and of woollen garments over the past 12 months, he will enable expectant mothers to be issued with vouchers entitling them to buy small quantities of baby wool at specially controlled prices.
§ Mr. RhodesNo, Sir. Prices of all kinds of knitting wool, including baby wool, are already tightly controlled.
§ Miss BurtonIf the prices of woollen garments do not come down, or if the price of wool goes up again, will my hon. Friend look at the matter once more, particularly as it has been the policy of the Government to see that there are fair shares of children's essential clothing and other things, so that our children are the finest in the world?
§ Mr. RhodesIn some varieties the price has already come down by some 30 per cent. since it reached its peak in March.