§ Sir J. SPEARasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware of the resentment felt by farmers at the Government weigher of commandeered wool insisting that on every hundredweight of wool two pounds overweight must be given, contrary to all hitherto systems of wool buying; and will he order a discontinuance of this method of taking goods without paying for it?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe custom of giving "drafts" is of long standing in the wool trade, and in accordance with the promise given to observe local customs as far as possible, the War Office has not interfered with this practice wherever the local advisory committees have recommended its observance. Where the local committee has decided that drafts should be given, the price list for the area has been correspondingly adjusted so as to bring it into general agreement with prices paid elsewhere.
§ Sir J. SPEARasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, seeing wool is being taken by the Government from flock-masters at over 2d. per pound below the current market price, he will state if a corresponding reduction is made in the price by manufacturers in supplying the Army with khaki and blankets; and will he state the price paid by the War Office for khaki and blankets during the months of September, 1914, 1915 and 1916, respectively?
§ Mr. FORSTERManufacturers holding contracts for khaki and blankets have to pay the full market value for wool supplied to them, and the benefit of any difference between the prices paid to the farmer and the price received from the contractor is credited to the public. When, in future contracts, wool or tops are supplied to manufacturers at less than market prices, a corresponding reduction will be obtained in the price of yarn and cloth. No such reduction would, however, be reflected in the prices paid in September, 1916.