§ 98. Mr. REMERasked the Under Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the present advisers as to the timber required on aeroplanes are the same officials who sanctioned the use of cypress during the War; why the many warnings of practical timber merchants as to the use of this wood were disregarded; and what was the cost of scrapping machines made of this wood after the use of cypress had been prohibited?
§ General SEELYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Considerable changes in the personnel of the Technical Department have taken place owing to the return of officials to their civil occupations. As regards the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on this subject on the 1st instant. I am endeavouring to obtain details as to the cost of substitution of other woods for cypress in the machines concerned and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.