HC Deb 28 April 1947 vol 436 cc1537-8
69. Mr. York

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that agricultural engineers in Yorkshire have not yet received their December and January allocation of timber; that repairs to farm carts and implements are at a standstill at this vital season; and if he will take urgent steps to provide timber for these essential purposes.

Mr. T. Williams

Timber allocations are made on specific applications, not on a regular periodical basis. I regret that owing to the acute timber supply position it is not at present possible to meet applications in full. I appreciate the importance of prompt repairs to agricultural equipment, and applications for timber for this purpose will continue to be dealt with as sympathetically as possible, having regard to the total allocation made available to the Department and the timber needs for other agricultural purposes.

Mr. York

It is not sympathy we want, but timber. Does the Minister really mean to say he is going to do nothing to supply timber for the local agricultural engineers who have had no timber for three or four months? Is he going to leave all the logs lying in the yards, or what is he going to do about it?

I did not say anything of the kind. I said that in the light of the timber allocations made to the Agricultural Department, we tried to allocate them in the manner most essential to the industry.

Mr. De la Bère

The Minister must do something more about it.

Is not the Minister aware that for the last three months timber has not been arriving in the yards of these merchants? Is he, or is he not, going to do anything about it?

Mr. Williams

If the hon. Gentleman will provide me with particulars of any specific case I will readily undertake to look into them.