§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Supply what proportion of this season's wool clip is in merchants' hands; and what steps will he taken to pay those flock masters who, at the Ministry's request, retained their wool on the farms to receive payment after valuation, remembering that many are short of funds and credit is hard to obtain and consequently a detailed statement as to methods of payment would be welcomed?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanPrecise figures are not readily available, but it is estimated that about one-tenth of this season's wool clip is already in merchants' hands. This is now being valued and paid for as quickly as possible. Where storage facilities are available on the farm, flock masters have been asked to retain their wool pending the receipt of instructions for delivery, so that the clip may be taken up in an orderly manner; these instructions are now being issued to all flock masters who have returned full particulars of their clip on the census form sent out by the Wool Control, and also to the merchants authorised to take up the clips. The wool will be valued as promptly as possible after delivery, and the merchant is required to make prompt payment to the flock master so soon as the value of the clip has been established. In the case of clips which are not taken over by 1st September, an addition will be made to the price at the rate of 3½ per cent. per annum of the price for the period between that date and the actual date on which the wool is taken over.