§ 53. Mr. Jewsonasked the Minister of Supply how many tons of paper it is estimated will be annually required in carrying out the Control of Timber (No. 24) Order?
§ The Minister of Supply (Sir Andrew Duncan)Five hundredweights.
§ 54. Mr. Messerasked the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the report which has been sent to him dealing with timber control; and if he contemplates any alteration in the financial arrangements now in operation, in view of the fact that public money is being paid to timber merchants without regard to the value of the work involved?
§ Sir A. DuncanI have considered the article on this subject in the journal which my hon. Friend kindly sent to me. The rates of remuneration of timber distributors have recently been reviewed, and represent the minimum necessary in present circumstances to secure the efficient performance of the services required.
§ Mr. MesserIs it not a fact that what is happening is that dealers are now in point of fact agents of the Control drawing a commission on timber they [...] see and which never enters their [...]
§ Sir A. DuncanNo, Sir. That would be a very wrong description of the system. In the absence of the present system a very large organisation would be required to be set up which would cost very much more.