§ 59. Mr. Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Government have made a profit of between 50 per cent. and 75 per cent. on the prices paid to the producers for the 1947 wool clip; and whether he will, in future, give the farmers a guaranteed minimum price for their wool.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsNearly 30 per cent. of the 1947 wool clip was sold at a loss before sale by auction could be arranged, but I am aware that a similar quantity has since been sold at a substantial profit. About 40 per cent, of the clip awaits disposal, and until this can be cleared no reliable estimate can be made of the final result of the year's trading. As regards the second part of the Question, a guaranteed price for the 1948 clip has been announced which will represent a substantial increase over existing levels, but I cannot yet say what arrangements will be made for subsequent years.