§ 26. Lord SCONEasked the Minister of Mines if he will state what percentage of the timber used in the mines of this country was of British, Empire, and foreign origin, respectively, during each of the last three years?
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTI regret that precise information on this subject is not available, but the quantity of homegrown timber is comparatively small, while Empire-grown timber represents less than ½per cent. of the whole quantity used.
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPEIs the hon. Member aware that the woodlands of the United Kingdom can provide 1,000,000 tons of pit timber per annum?
§ Mr. FOOTI understand that the matter is under the consideration of the Forestry Commissioners, and they are more concerned with this question than we are.
§ 27. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the cost per ton of coal raised for timber used in the mines; and will he say if this includes the use of steel supports or can he give a separate figure for both?
§ Mr. FOOTParticulars of the cost of timber and steel supports used in mines are not collected by my Department, but I am informed that during the September quarter, 1931, the total cost was about 8½d. per ton of coal disposable commercially. I am unable to give separate Figures in respect of steel supports.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLHas the Mines Department expressed any opinion as to the desirability of extending the use of steel supports?
§ Mr. FOOTAs far as I can gather, the opinion of the Department is strongly in favour of steel supports.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIs that opinion based mainly on the question of safety?
§ Mr. TINKERIs the Department considering the question of making inquiries to see if the use of steel supports is growing in comparison with timber supports?