§ 42. Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that several thousands of square feet of timber were used in December last to build a booth to enlarge the totalisator facilities 1321 at the dog racing track, White City; who supplied the labour and material for this work; and what action he has taken against such a contravention of the regulations limiting the use of this type of timber to war damage repair?
§ Mr. PeatI am informed that this booth was built in part of timber which had previously been used on the same premises and that 1,300 square feet of new timber was used. The new timber was part of a stock held by the Greyhound Racing Association, Limited, since September, 1939, and a quantity greater than the 1,300 square feet can, under the Timber Control Orders, be consumed without licence from a stock held since October, 1939. The work was carried out in five days by two employees of the Greyhound Racing Association, Limited, and two carpenters borrowed from another firm, at a total cost, including labour and materials, of £54.
§ Mr. HallCan the hon. Gentleman give us the name of the other firm from which these men were borrowed?
§ Mr. HallIs the hon. Gentleman quite sure that the Greyhound Racing Association did have that timber? Has he made perfectly certain that they had it and that the men were their own men and not borrowed from this aircraft production factory?
§ Mr. PeatAn investigator has been down to the Greyhound Racing Association and, as far as I am aware, the facts I have given are correct.
§ Sir Joseph LambWill the hon. Gentleman not agree that no matter in whose hands material of this description is it ought to be used only for national purposes?