HC Deb 12 June 1940 vol 361 cc1260-2
33. Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister of Supply if he will exercise his powers to declare all stocks of timber the property of the State so as to guarantee timber for those contractors engaged on Government work?

Mr. H. Morrison

The arrangements for the control and allocation of timber are designed to ensure supplies for Government contracts and other essential work, and I should not hesitate to requisition, if necessary. I shall be glad to look into any case in which contractors engaged on Government work cannot obtain timber if my hon. Friend will send me particulars.

Mr. Leonard

Is the Minister aware that there is widespread experience which shows that when Government contractors, even in possession of licences, ask the price of timber, they are even refused a quotation?

Mr. Morrison

I would be very glad to go into such cases if my hon. Friend would be good enough to send them to me.

Mr. Messer

Has the Minister received the report of the deputation which waited on the Parliamentary Secretary on the subject?

Mr. Leonard

That is the subject of my third Question to the Minister of Supply.

Mr. Morrison

The answer to the hon. Member for South Tottenham (Mr. Messer) is "Yes, Sir."

34. Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister of Supply why the Timber Control Board make it a condition for release of timber that purchase must be made through merchants or brokers, who are mainly intermediaries and handle no stock; and what percentage is specified for such brokers?

Mr. Morrison

Up to the present purchases have been mainly from the stocks owned and held by the timber merchants. It is proposed that the distribution of the national stock imported by my Department should also be made through the merchants, who already have an organisation adapted to that purpose. It will make for efficiency and economy to use this organisation rather than to set up a special organisation for the purpose. After careful consideration the remuneration of the merchants for distributing the Department's stocks has been fixed at the following rates, which will be reconsidered in the light of experience at the end of the year: on softwoods, 10 per cent.; hardwoods, 15 per cent.; plywood, 12½per cent.; pitwood, 7½ per cent.

Mr. Leonard

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider these matters again, and will he bear in mind that most of these entries are found to be nothing but book-keeping entries and that they are not in possession of any timber at all; and why should they be allowed to function in that way?

Mr. Morrison

I have looked into the position in the light of my hon. Friend's Question, and I am advised that they have a real function, and a real work to do. The question I have to consider is whether it is better to deal with the existing organisation or proceed to set up a new one, and on balance I have come to the conclusion that it would not be either expeditious or expedient to set up a new organisation.

Mr. Leonard

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is not necessary to set up a new organisation in view of the fact that persons requiring timber could give an order to those in possession of it?

Mr. Morrison

I am not clear about that.

35. Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has now considered the representations made to him by wood-working firms showing the obstacles to production in the present licensing system; and what action he proposes to take?

Mr. Morrison

The instances recently submitted by the Timber Supplies Committee of the Furniture Trade of difficulties in obtaining supplies or delays caused by the licensing procedure are being fully investigated, and any steps that may be desirable and possible will be taken without delay. I am afraid, however, that in general the situation is governed by the shortage of timber and the necessity of strictly limiting its use to the more essential purposes.

Mr. Leonard

While appreciating the point made by the right hon. Gentleman, has his investigation up to the present time not enabled him to accept the prevailing practices to be actual fraud and nothing else?

Mr. Woodburn

May I ask the Minister whether he will give urgent consideration to the report of the Select Committee which was published last Thursday dealing with the whole question of timber control?

Mr. Morrison

I certainly will give that report proper consideration.