§ 78. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that Messrs. William Fiddes and Son, of Aberdeen, have, owing to absence of timber, had, last Friday week, to close their factory, thereby causing nearly 300 workers to be unemployed, he will now grant them a licence for sufficient timber to enable them to reopen their factory and re-engage their workers.
§ Mr. BelcherI naturally regret the effect, particularly on employment, of the closing of Messrs. Fiddes' factory, which, I hope, will only be temporary. They will be granted licences in the same way and on the same basis as other sawmillers and boxmakers, but in present circumstances the cutting up for boxmaking of German logs suitable for meeting other requirements, especially housing, could not be justified.
§ Mr. HughesIs my hon. Friend aware that the small quantity of timber required for this purpose would make comparatively little difference to the housing programme? Is he aware that there are cargoes of timber being handled at Aberdeen, some of which could be used for this purpose in order to help reduce unemployment?
§ Mr. BelcherWhile it may be true that the quantity of timber which might be diverted in this case would make little difference to the housing programme, it would make a big difference if there were other firms who might like us to do the same thing.