§ 57. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the surplus estimated at £14,000,000 this year, arising from the sale at market prices of British farmers' wool taken at Government prices fixed much below world values, he will authorise the Wool Marketing Board to make a substantial interim distribution so that sheep farmers individually may derive some benefit now.
Mr. T. WilliamsNo, Sir. I see no reason to vary the arrangements for dealing with any surplus which I outlined to the House on 20th July last, when I invited them to approve the Agriculture Act (Extension of First Schedule) (Wool) Order, 1950.
§ Mr. HurdIf the Minister will not allow any immediate distribution of this £14 million, will the Wool Marketing Board be free agents to fix a price for the 1951 clip which is reasonably in line with world prices?
Mr. WilliamsThe prices fixed, as the hon. Gentleman well knows, are based upon the expected cost of production of the particular commodity under review.