§ 33. Sir JOHN FLEMINGasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now grant to holders of stocks of imported timber which have not been taken over by the timber buyer the liberty of disposing of the same at prices sufficient to cover the cost of replacement, and thus conform to the practice of the Government timber buyer?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe subject of this question has been discussed thoroughly by the Controller of Timber Supplies with his Advisory Committee of which my hon. Friend is a member and on the advice of that Committee it has been been decided that in present circumstances no change in the direction suggested can be made.
§ Sir J. FLEMINGAm I to understand that this is an example of British fair play, that the Government should be allowed to charge 40 per cent. profit and that the previous holder of the goods left on his hands can charge none? That never was arranged at the Controllers' Committee.
§ Mr. WARDLEI believe the hon. Member is aware that a conference on this subject will be held in the course of a day or two.
§ Sir J. FLEMINGI hope something will come of it.