Vol. 223 No. 9
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will consider subsidising the price of scotch wool owing to the present uneconomic prices of 2/6d to 3/3d per lb that prevail and in view of the fact that at times it cannot be sold at any price owing to the uncertainty of the market and the fact that synthetic fabrics are taking the place of wool.
35.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that farmers in County Sligo, who derive their livelihood solely from sheep farming on the Ox mountains, got no increase in the price of greasy mountain wool since 1949; and if he will provide for a fixed price for such wool.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
I do not consider it practicable to fix the price of Blackface or mountain wool, most of which is exported. Wool prices are determined by the world market situation from year to year. I understand that reports on wool prices indicate some improvement this year as compared with last year.
