HC Deb 06 December 1949 vol 470 cc144-5W
71. Mr. Collins

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the current average price of home-produced sheepskin pelts; on what basis they are allocated to processers; what is the current average price for similar pelts imported from New Zealand; and how far he proposes to make arrangements whereby larger allocations of home-produced pelts can be given to firms who can re-export to dollar markets.

Mr. Bottomley

The current average price of home-produced pelts is about 45s. 4d. per dozen for sheep pelts and 31s. 8d. per dozen for lambs in lime ex fellmonger's yard. At the last auctions of New Zealand pelts, which were held in September, the average f.o.b. prices were 71s. 9d. per dozen for sheep and 47s. 11d. for lambs in pickle. The present allocations of domestic pelts are based on usage immediately prior to the war, with modifications to meet the needs of firms whose allocations on this basis would be abnormally low. The Leather Control have for some time past been considering how additional supplies could be provided for firms which can use them for dollar and other export orders, and following a meeting last week with representatives of the trade a scheme is being introduced immediately.