§ 2. Sir JOHN FLEMINGasked the President of the Board of Trade, seeing that the time is now approaching when purchases must be made, if he will restore to timber importers the right to buy Baltic and American wood goods for importation next first open water?
§ Mr. WARDLEI regret that the tonnage situation and other circumstances do not yet admit of the desired permission being given, but the matter will not be lost sight of.
§ Sir J. FLEMINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that over a thousand timber merchants and staffs have been thrown out of employment since the Government took over the control of timber, and now that the Navy and Army have been attended to in their wants has not the time arrived to let these men resume their old employment?
§ Mr. WARDLEIt is impossible to relax the conditions at present.
§ Sir J. FLEMINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that both the Timber Controller and the buyer want to go back to their old employment and are anxious to see the system wound up?
§ Mr. WARDLEI am not aware of that.
§ Sir J. FLEMINGIt is true.