§ 39. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the large quantity of cheap timber recently imported into Finland from the Russian Soviet Union which, after being sawn and planed in Finland, is exported to Great Britain as Finnish timber, thereby injuring the home lumber trade; and what action is being taken in this matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I am aware that there is a trade in timber which is exported from Russia into neighbouring countries (including Finland) mainly in the form of logs, and that a certain quantity of this timber is re-exported after undergoing certain processes. This trade has been in existence for a number of years, and I have no reason to suppose that the recent importations into Finland have been other than normal.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the hon. Gentleman keep an eye on this matter in order to See that there is no abnormal importation of this wood from Finland?
§ Dr. BURGINCertainly, it will be most closely watched.