§ 37. Mr. Priceasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that in dealing with the import of timber coming into this country, the Timber Control is insisting on a method of listing and invoicing the goods so long and complicated that great delays and expense are being caused to the firms concerned; and whether he will consider adopting simpler methods?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonVirtually, all imports of timber are made by the Timber Controller on Government account, and the importation does not involve listing or invoicing. If my hon. Friend has in mind the procedure for invoicing transfers of timber by wharfingers from national stock to merchants and from merchants to consumers, this procedure was adopted by the Timber Control after consultation with the Emergency Advisory Committee of the Timber Trades Federation, and is essential for the purpose of keeping an accurate record of sales on Government account.
§ Mr. PriceIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it takes staffs the same time to do half the work that was done in normal times, and can he not make the procedure more simple?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is over a limited field. I will investigate the point which my hon. Friend makes.
§ Mr. ThorneI take it for granted that the right hon. Gentleman is aware that unless he can do it within the time we are going to get a lot of things that we do no like.
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is certainly being kept in mind.