§ Sir T. ESMONDEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what prices will be paid per pound for the wool clips in England, Scotland, and Ireland this year?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Tavistock on 4th April last. The basis of prices for Great Britain and Ireland is 50 per cent, over the average prices ruling in June-July, 1914. Detailed price lists for each district are now being prepared and will be published shortly in the Press.
§ Mr. DONOVANasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that lissatisfaction existed last year regarding the Committee appointed to take charge of the purchase of Irish wool; whether he is prepared to consider nominations on that Committee representing the Irish wool growers and buyers, so as to secure disinterested and competent men, experienced in the buying and sorting of Irish wool; and whether he is prepared to review the prices to be allowed to wool-growers for the 1917 wool-clip, which, owing to the cost of production due to the extra expense of keeping, resulting from the protracted severe weather, the increased scale of wages paid, and the additional cost involved by increased tillage, if based on the 1916 wool-clip prices, will prove inadequate and unjust?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not aware that there was any dissatisfaction last year with the constitution of the Irish Advisory Committee on wool purchase. Care was taken to secure that representatives of the growers and wool merchants were men of high standing and experience in the buying and sorting of Irish wools. The Committee is already representative of all interests in the Irish wool trade and it is not considered advisable to add any further members to it. With regard to the latter part of the question, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Tavistock on the 4th April, the basis of prices for1866W this season's wool-clip in Great Britain and Ireland is 50 per cent, over the average prices ruling in June and July, 1914, which represents an additional 15 per cent. compared with the basis of prices for last year's clip.