74. Mr. Scott-Elliotasked the President of the Board of Trade what were the stocks of softwoods in this country at the beginning of this year and how the present position compares with that of January, 1947.
§ Mr. BottomleyStocks of softwood (both imported and home-grown) in the United Kingdom at the end of December, 1947, were 615,000 standards, as against 214,000 standards at the end of 1946. My hon. Friend will find these figures, together with further details, in the Monthly Digest of Statistics published by His Majesty's Stationery Office.
75. Mr. Scott-Elliotasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the targets for imports of softwoods from Germany during the present year; and whether he is considering increasing this figure with a view to saving dollar imports.
§ Mr. BottomleyWe shall obtain as much softwood from Germany in 1948 as possible in the light of price, currency and other considerations, and no specific target has been set. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Parkin) on 15th March.
Mr. Scott-ElliotIs my hon. Friend satisfied with this position? h he not aware that last year we received only 220,000 standards—I believe that is the right figure—and cannot Germany produce a great deal more than that, given the necessary guidance?
§ Mr. BottomleyWe do consider that position, but we have to take into account the Timber Control Commission in Germany.
Mr. 'VaneWill the hon. Gentleman at least say whether he expects to get as much as we got last year, or more or less?