§ Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can 685W give an approximate estimate of the total sum involved by paying for British wool 35 per cent. over the price ruling in June and July, 1914, instead of at that price?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe payment of 35 per cent. in excess of the prices of British wool ruling in June and July, 1914, represents an increase of over £2,000,000 on the total purchase price of 1914.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been directed to a resolution passed at a meeting of the Donegal rural district council on the 8th instant requesting the Government to send immediately inspectors or agents to purchase wool, 1916 clip, to Donegal and the surrounding districts, having regard to the fact that many farmers are put to inconvenience owing to the recent Order, having drawn accounts under the belief that the sale for wool would have been under the same conditions as in previous years; and whether, having regard to the grave public interests to which the resolution relates, steps will be taken to carry its recommendations into effect?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have received a copy of the resolution referred to and am taking steps, in consultation with the Irish Department of Agriculture, to arrange for the purchase of Irish wool to begin before the end of the month