§ 21. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the necessary instructions to stop the burning of wood on bombed sites and for such wood to be distributed locally.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have no information to suggest that any usable timber is being burned on bombed sites, though timber which is verminous or impregnated with harmful substances is often burned on the site as the readiest means of disposal. Instructions have already been given to local authorities to make suitable arrangements for the collection of any waste timber from war-damaged property in firewood dumps from which it may be removed free of charge by the public.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that as I come up in the train I see big bonfires burning of wood which would be very useful to housewives?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars—I do not know whether he can in the circumstances—I will have them looked into but, if the timber is verminous, it is best to burn it.