§ 5. Mr. Thorneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information in connection with the rise in timber prices; whether the European timber exporters are going to allow an increase of the quota of the exporting countries; and what action he intends taking in this matter?
§ Mr. StanleyI am aware that there has been an increase in the price of timber generally in recent months. I understand that a meeting of the European Timber Exporters' Convention may be held in the near future, when no doubt the question of an alteration in the export quotas allotted to the countries which are members of the convention would be considered. The Government are, of course, watching the position with regard to timber supplies, but I do not think that there is any action which I can usefully take.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes that mean that those people who manipulate the sale of timber have prevented the timber coming to this country, and thus driven up the prices to the building trade and other trades?
§ Mr. StanleyIt is true that there has been a rise in the price recently, but it follows a very severe fall in the course of last year. The price is still considerably below the price in 1937.
§ Mr. PetherickIs my right hon. Friend aware that the object of this quota export restrictions scheme is to provide a stable market in European countries?