§ 28 Mr. RAPERasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that no other civilised country will allow wrack wood to be utilised in the construction of houses for human habitation; If he will take steps to prevent its further use for this purpose in this country; (2) what is the total f.o.b. value of all timber bought by the Timber Controller and/or the Government buyer since the Armistice; what are the total Government stocks, hard woods expressed in loads and soft woods in standards; (3) how many standards of wrack wood have boon purchased by the Timber Controller and/or Government buyer since the Armistice; how many standards were still to come forward at that time against old contracts; what is the total quantity of wrack in stock in the United Kingdom; and for what purpose this wood is imported?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANSince the Armistice timber purchases have been made to the value of about £7,000,000 in order to ensure supplies for reconstruction. In making these purchases the Controller of Timber Supplies has had the benefit of the assistance, not only of the Government timber buyer, but also of an advisory purchasing committee, composed of highly expert timber merchants. The amount of wrack imported is relatively insignificant. This quality of wood is used for making packing cases. About 100 standards of wrack were still to come forward at the Armistice, about 180 standards have been purchased since, and about 120 standards are in stock.
The total timber stocks held by the Board of Trade, both in this country and 1454 yet to arrive, are about 550,000 standards of soft wood and 10,000 loads of hard woods, excluding mahogany. Particulars of the Government stocks will be duly announced in the trade papers, in a few weeks in connection with the winding up of the Timber Control after the end of the month. If my hon. Friend desires further information, I would suggest that he should communicate with the Timber Controller, who would be happy to give him any particulars possible. Questions as to housing regulations should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board.
§ Mr. RAPERWill my hon. Friend promise that none of that wrack wood will be used for any purpose except packing cases?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have read a very interesting article which the hon. Gentleman wrote in the "Sunday Times," and I entirely sympathise with the object of it. I should be very glad if he would see the Timber Controller himself.