asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the farmers in securing an economic price for the present season's wool crop, and if he will now consider the fixing of a fair price to safeguard producers against heavy losses on sales for the remainder of the season.

I am not aware that the prices which farmers are obtaining for the present season's wool crop are uneconomic. The average prices which will probably be reached for this year's clip are well above pre-war prices. In this connection I would refer the Deputy to my statement on the Adjournment Debate on 30th April last.