§ Mr. JOWETTasked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the cost of wool tops is on the average due to commissions, brokerage, and other charges and profits of intermediaries between the overseas farmer and the worsted industry; and what was the corresponding figure during the period when the wool was purchased in bulk by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI regret that the information desired is not available.
§ Mr. JOWETTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will institute an inquiry into the woollen and worsted industries with a view to ascertaining the effect upon the selling price of cloth of inflated capital charges in the combing, spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing sections of the industries, and of the margins received by merchants, dealers, and retailers, and for the purpose of suggesting measures to reduce these 2118W burdens on the industries and on the buyers of cloth?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe wool textile industry has been the subject of several Government inquiries of recent years, the last being in 1930. As already indicated, the question of the reorganisation of this and other staple industries is receiving the constant attention of His Majesty's Government, and I do not think that any special inquiry into the particular aspects of the wool textile industry mentioned by my right hon. Friend is necessary.