§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that wool-sorters have been given to understand that they will not be employed in sorting the fleece purchased by the Government; whether he is aware that many of these men have been in the trade all their lives and will be thrown out of work almost immediately if this policy is to be carried out; and whether arrangements will be made to employ these men on this necessary work or compensate them for the loss they will otherwise sustain?
§ Mr. FORSTERThere is no foundation for the suggestion that wool-sorters will not be employed in sorting the fleeces purchased by the Department.
§ Mr. P. WHITEasked how many Advisory Committees have been formed in Great Britain for the purpose of consultation re the purchase of wool for the Army and the aggregate number of members; and how many representatives of farmers are on the several committees?
§ Mr. FORSTERA Central Advisory Committee of fifteen members has been constituted for England and Wales, of which four are farmers. Local Advisory Committees have been appointed in each of the thirteen areas into which England and Wales are divided for the purposes of the scheme, and on each of these committees there are three farmers. Eight farmers have been selected to sit on the Central Advisory Committee for Scot- I land. There are no Local Advisory Committees in Scotland.