§ 70. Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there has been any reduction in the selling price of timber imported from Sweden and Finland during the six months ended February, 1931, and the total amount of standards of timber (softwood) imported from those countries for the same period?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHI have no information regarding the selling price in this country of timber imported from Sweden and Finland. The average declared import values of soft wood (sawn and planed or dressed) and of pitprops or pitwood imported from these countries in January, 1931, compared with those in August, 1930, show a decline except in the case of pitprops or pitwood from Sweden. The total quantity of soft wood including pitprops or pitwood imported into the United Kingdom and registered during the six months ended the 31st. January, 1931, as consigned from Sweden was 693,000 loads, and from Finland 934,000 loads. Particulars in respect of February, 1931, are not yet available.
§ Mr. THORNEIs my hon. Friend not aware that the price of standard timber both from Finland and Sweden has been reduced on two occasions, due to the fact that the Russians have been imparting timber and have made them reduce their prices?