§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that merino wool from Australia reaches this country in tightly-packed double-sized bales with the wool in a semi-frozen condition; that wool-combing and topmaking establishments have insufficient warming facilities, with the result that sorters have great difficulty in handling the wool and that production is thereby greatly delayed, the sorters frequently damage their hands and, being paid on piecework rates, lose wages; and will he cause steps to be taken to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe difficulty of sorting of heavily greased merino wool has been increased this winter by the severe weather and because of the necessity for 2003W economising in shipping space by increased compression of the wool in shipment. The Wool Control has arranged for steps to be taken to overcome the difficulties as far as possible.