§ Mr. ALSTEADasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the present high price of imported foreign and Colonial fine wool; is he aware of the serious effects such high prices of fine wool have upon the wool and worsted textile trades of the country; and, if so, will he take steps to develop the production of fine wool within the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. BUXTONI understand that there has recently been a sharp advance in the prices of fine wool, and that this is causing concern to manufacturers who use this material. As regards the last part of the question. I may explain that the Ministry is making grants for the promotion of a programme of breeding experiments which has been drawn up in conjunction with the Woollen Association and research institutes to ascertain the possibility of improving the quality of the wool of native breeds by crossing with merinos.