§ 33. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he can state what steps, if any, are being taken by the Forestry Commissioners to enable coal mining companies in Great Britain to obtain their supplies of pit timber from sources in the United Kingdom?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPE (Forestry Commissioner)The commissioners have appointed a Homegrown Timber Committee to consider how best the utilisation of homegrown timber may be promoted. The committee have had meetings with the 844 Central Committee of the Mining Association of Great Britain, the railway companies and other bodies interested in the supply, transport and use of mining timber.
§ Captain MACDONALDCan the hon. and gallant Member tell us the result of the meeting?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEI prefer not to express an opinion in view of the negotiations which are taking place.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNIs it not a fact that British pit props are better timber than anything else, and will my hon. and gallant Friend see that every endeavour is made to get more of them used?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEI think they are of equal quality to any pit props in the world.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWCan the hon. and gallant Member say whether there has been any increase in the demand for British pit props since the inauguration of the Buy British Campaign?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEI should like to have notice of that question.