HC Deb 12 February 1947 vol 433 c353
25. Mr. Bossom

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the value of the commercial products that are now received here from Germany, which come to counterbalance the British expenses incurred with Germany.

Mr. J. Hynd

Total exports from the British zone of Germany up to 31st January, 1947, were £43,629,200. Of this total, the amount imported into the United Kingdom was £3,011,000. Present imports into the United Kingdom are now at the rate of £450,000 per month

Mr. Bossom

Can the Minister state how touch of this was due to timber for housing.?

Mr. Hynd

The total amount of imports received into the United Kingdom during the three months to 31st January represented £1,264,650. Of that, timber represented £941,200.

Mr. Bossom

Could the Minister say if that timber was satisfactory?

Mr. Hynd

I have not had any suggestion to the contrary.

Mr. Drayson

Can the Minister say how much of that export is attributable to current production, and what amount of it comes from stock?

Mr. Hynd

The main imports into this country consist of timber, with a small amount of, I think, steel scrap of different kinds, but the timber is almost entirely current production.