§ Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government are purchasing Italian hides at 13¼d. a pound; and, if so, whether he can explain why a maximum of 10d. a pound has been fixed for home hides?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe hides brought to this country under a recent arrangement between the British and Italian Ministries of War were purchased for less than 10d. a pound. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.