HC Deb 28 October 1946 vol 428 cc260-1
23. Mr. Marples

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will given an assurance that sufficient quantities of soft wood of a suitable grade will be available for scaffold boards to meet the demands of the permanent housing programme.

Sir S. Cripps

There is a serious general shortage of timber, but my Department will continue to make every effort to ensure that sufficient quantities of timber of a suitable grade are available for scaffold boards to meet the demands of the permanent housing programme.

Mr. Marples

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that recent tests carried out on scaffold boards showed failures as high as one in three, and will his Department do something about testing the quality of boards supplied?

Sir S. Cripps

I will look into that matter.

Mr. Erroll

Is the Minister aware that it is extremely difficult for the suppliers to conform with the safety restrictions while timber supplies are so low?

Sir S. Cripps

I quite appreciate that the deficiency of timber creates difficulties for many people.