§ Lieut-Colonel PICKERINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the activities of the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association are to be confined to the raw material; whether the association was concerned in the recent despatch to the United States of America of 915 bags of Australian-combed wool-tops, combed by F. W. Hughes, and originally offered for sale by auction in London; whether the tops were sent to the United States by a Bradford firm; whether in that instance the Bradford firm acted as the agents of the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association; whether they usually act in that capacity; and whether, in the interests of British wool-combers, whose machinery is not fully engaged, or of their employés, many of whom are either unemployed or underemployed, steps will be taken to stop the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association being engaged or concerned with dealings in semi-manufactured wool?
Mr. HOPEI have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; and to the second, third, fourth, and fifth parts in the negative. The last part, therefore, does not arise.