§ 79. Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what deliveries of Russian timber there have been at the Royal dockyards in 1930–31, and how much of this timber has been condemned as not up to specification; and whether he will undertake that no more Russian timber will be used by the Royal Navy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Ammon)The total quantity of Russian timber delivered to the dockyards in the period in question is approximately 1,150 standards; none of this timber has been condemned, but about 800 standards were accepted at a reduction from the contract price owing to a falling off in the standard of quality of shipments to this country. No purchase of Russian timber has been made since August, 1930, and arrangements have been made for requirements for the Royal Navy of such timber to be met from Canadian sources.
§ Mr. HARRISAre we to gather that none of the Russian timber was bought by the previous Government?
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSWill the hon. Gentleman make representations to the First Commissioner of Works to follow his example?