§ 39. Mr. GRIMSTONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if the timber trade in this country has been consulted in connection with the forth- 993 coming Ottawa Conference; and whether a representative is going to Ottawa in an advisory capacity?
§ 40, 42 and 43. Lord APSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) who will be in charge of the interests of British timber production at the Ottawa Conference;
(2) which Department will represent the interests of Colonial hardwood production at the Ottawa Conference;
(3) which Department of His Majesty's Government is watching the interests of Dominion timber production, with a view to their furtherance, at the Ottawa Conference?
§ 41. Mr. PETHERICKasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the forthcoming Ottawa Conference, he has consulted, or proposes to consult, the Timber Trades Federation, or representatives of the timber trade, as to the technical requirements of the United Kingdom market and the probable consuming power of that market of Canadian timber?
§ 44. Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken to ensure the adequate representation of the timber and forestry interests of this country at the forthcoming Imperial Conference at Ottawa?
§ 53. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what representation will be accorded at Ottawa to the British home-grown forestry interests; and by whom will the home-grown timber interests be represented there?
Mr. THOMASThe official delegation, to which reference was made in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Amery) on the 17th March, will not fail to bear in mind the various interests in question. The delegation will be assisted by the industrial advisers whose names have already been announced, and will consult these advisers on matters affecting trade interests which may arise at the Conference. It is open to any trade which wishes to do so to lay its views before these advisers and to decide, in consultation with them, whether it needs to be specially represented at Ottawa.
§ Mr. REMERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very big subject and one of great importance; and will he take into consultation the practical interests of the timber trade, rather than the theoretical side about which we have so often heard?
Mr. THOMASI do not know what the hon. Member means by the theoretical and practical sides. I am endeavouring in these matters to deal with the practical side. The practical side, I conclude, is dealt with by those who know their business, and I have indicated to them quite clearly what they ought to do.
§ Earl WINTERTONArising out of my question, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say which of these technical advisers to whom he has referred represent the timber and forestry trade in this country?
Mr. THOMASNeither, and for this reason, that, if every particular and specific industry were to be included, my Noble Friend knows perfectly well what a number there would be. We have first agreed upon certain trade advisers appointed by the bodies themselves. They are in direct consultation with all the other industries, and I am satisfied that they are taking the necessary steps to get the technical advisers to advise them.
§ Earl WINTERTONMay I ask what representatives of the timber and forestry trade in this country the right hon. Gentleman has personally consulted? Is he aware that there is considerable misapprehension among some supporters of His Majesty's Government on this subject and on the subject of other specific commodities to be dealt with at Ottawa, as to the preparations that are being made by the right hon. Gentleman and his Department?
Mr. THOMASI not only do not resent, but I welcome, the opportunity of at least answering some of the criticisms made in ill-informed quarters. I personally, for the last 12 months, as well as other Ministers, have received deputations from almost all trades. We came to the conclusion that we could not possibly expect every trade to be represented at Ottawa, What we did was to agree to the particular trade advisers, and those advisers are instructed to get 995 into contact, and are to my personal knowledge in contact, with all other trades. If the timber trade feels that its interest is of such vital importance—and I agree that it is important—it is open to it to take the same steps that all other industries are taking now to get in touch with these advisers.
§ Mr. MAXTONDo I understand, from the right hon. Gentleman's earlier reply, that the representatives that he announced to the House the other week, from, I think, the Federation of British Industries and the Trades Union Congress, have been meeting jointly and are accessible to representatives from various trades and industries?
Mr. THOMASThey have not only been meeting jointly, but they are in daily contact with the Government. Almost every day from 10 to 12, or perhaps more, specific trade representations come to my office. Those representations are immediately handed over to that body, and that body will see anybody. To my personal knowledge, they have refused access to none.
§ Mr. REMERWill the right hon. Gentleman give particular attention to the question of Colonial tropical hardwoods?
Mr. THOMASIf I were to answer "Yes," I should be immediately bombarded from other quarters of the House with questions, "What about so-and-so?"