§ Mr.Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the decrease in numbers of wool producers in Wales in the course of the past year; and what steps he plans to take to give assistance in this field.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe number of registered wool producers in Wales fell by 947—about 4½per cent.—in the year to 21st June, 1969. As indicated in this year's Annual Review White Paper (Cmnd. 3965) the assistance given to wool production is considered each year in the140W light of all relevant factors, including the level of support on fat lambs and hill sheep and the requirements of general production policy. As the hon. Member knows, substantial incentives have been given to sheep production in recent years and the guaranteed price for wool has been left unchanged despite the low level of market prices.