asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a very low price was paid this year to farmers for wool fleeces compared with previous years and that this drop in wool prices has not resulted in a similar drop in the prices of clothing; and, if so, whether he is now prepared to take steps which will ensure that clothing will be sold to the public at lower prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool and Clothing Prices.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to wool of the 1951 clip, for which farmers received somewhat lower prices than for the 1950 clip but higher than they received for the 1949 clip. Only a relatively small proportion of Irish wool is suitable for conversion into cloth, and, in any case, the effects of changes in the price of raw wool would not be reflected in the price of the manufactured article for some time. There is evidence, however, that the downward adjustment of clothing prices has been proceeding.