§ 29. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will fix maximum prices, at all stages, for logs sold for firewood.
§ Mr. ShinwellMaximum wholesale prices for wood fuel are fixed under the Wood Fuel Prices (Wholesale) Order, 1946. As regards the control of retail prices, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 5th June to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Baldwin), of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Sir I. FraserIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, even if there is a fixed price, it is being evaded, and the result is that certain rural industries, such as bobbin making, cannot get all the timber needed to carry on their most important work?
§ Mr. ShinwellAs regards the first part of the supplementary question, if these allegations of evasion can be substantiated by reference to the local fuel overseer, I have power to take action, but I must be informed about these allegations before I can take it.