HL Deb 20 October 1947 vol 151 cc1482-3WA
LORD BARNBY

asked His Majesty s Government whether, in view of the now proven impossibility of bureaucratic control being sufficiently flexible to adapt self quickly to world market movements of raw materials, they will now revert to normal price mechanism and forthwith free trading in wool and its derivatives and products from further price control, while merely retaining directional control for export and consumption control, by consumer couponage at home.

LORD CHORLEY

It has been decided that the time has now come to remove the price ceilings from tops, noils and wool wastes for the home trade, and the necessary order will shortly be made. It is necessary to retain price control of wool yarn and cloth in the home market alongside the clothing rationing system in the interests of the consumer. As the noble Lord will be aware, exports are already free from price control.