§ 23. Mr. Morleyasked the President of the Board of Trade how many contracts have been made with softwoods exporting countries for sawn softwoods for forward delivery; and how many standards, arid from whom.
§ Sir S. CrippsI hope to make a statement on the softwood supply position in the course of the next few weeks when the negotiations of the Timber Control missions in North America have been completed. I am circulating the information for which my hon. Friend has asked in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but he will appreciate that the outstanding balances of contracts with European countries at this particular juncture are relatively small, pending negotiations for the 1947 season which are due to take place next month with both Sweden and Finland.
§ Following is the information:
| Standards | |
| North America (Negotiations are still in progress). | |
| Sweden | 20,000 |
| Finland | |
| Russia | 6,000 |
| Germany (United States Zone) | 100,000 |
| (subject to periodical confirmation of quantities). | |
| Roumania | 10,000 |
| Austria | 17,000 |
§ Mr. Yorkasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a comparison of the price to the purchaser in this country of softwood in the round and of sawn timber per cubic foot of Scandinavian, German, Canadian and homegrown timber, respectively.
§ Sir S. CrippsTaking typical specifications of sawn softwood, the comparative prices per cubic foot to a purchaser in this country are: Scandinavian, 6s.; German, 5s. 7d.; Canadian, 5s. 5d. Home-grown 3s. 11d. to 8s. 6d., according to species, length of seasoning and type of mill in which the softwood was converted. Softwood in the round for conversion is not being imported except from Germany; for 1367 a comparison of the prices of German logs with home-grown logs, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Vane) on 6th February.
§ Mr. BossomCould the right hon. and learned Gentleman give the approximate proportions of the different kinds of timber that we are getting?
§ Sir S. CrippsThat is quite another question.