HC Deb 20 July 1916 vol 84 cc1224-5W
Mr. DUFFY

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is permissible for buyers and brokers of wool, commonly known as wool buyers, to purchase wool as formerly and store it in their wool-lofts pending delivery to the Government; whether it is proposed to set up market committees in Ireland to assist the Government in the purchase of wool; whether the farmers in each district will be represented on the committees; and whether he can now state definitely what price the Government propose to pay for wool?

Mr. FORSTER

The Central Advisory Committee for Ireland, which has been appointed in consultation with the Irish Department of Agriculture, is meeting in Dublin to-day, in order to complete the arrangements for handling the Irish clip. As soon as their deliberations are concluded, details of the scheme will be published. In the meantime, purchase of wool by wool merchants and brokers is prohibited. The maximum price to be paid for Irish wool will be 35 per cent. above the prices ruling in June and July, 1914. A list of fixed prices will be published in each district as soon as purchasing operations are started.

Captain Sir OWEN PHILIPPS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the price which the farmers in the Overseas Dominions are obtaining for their wool, he will reconsider the price proposed to be paid to the farmers in this country for their 1916 wool crop?

Mr. FORSTER

The relative prices of Colonial and Home-grown wool were carefully considered before the price to be paid for the 1916 clip of wool was finally settled at 35 per cent. over the prices ruling in June and July, 1914. Although the different qualities of the wool are not strictly comparable there is no doubt that the farmer in this country has realised a higher price owing to the increase in freight from the Overseas Dominions. The price for Colonial wool ruling on the London market does not, therefore, represent the amount obtained by farmers in the Dominions.