§ 10. Mr. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade what purchases of timber for building and industrial uses are being made in countries within the Empire; what proportion they bear to the £82 million worth of timber which is being bought from Austria, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Poland and Jugoslavia; and what response he is making to the representations of the Premier of British Columbia as to the availability of timber in that province.
§ Mr. H. WilsonDuring the first nine months of the year the value of our imports of timber and plywood from Commonwealth countries was £30 million as compared with £18 million from the countries referred to in the second part of the Question. In reply to the third part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) on 15th November.
§ Mr. HurdIs the Minister aware that British Columbia is anxious to trade timber for steel? Is it not worth making a special effort to foster traditional sources of timber within the Empire?
§ Mr. WilsonYes, Sir. I have discussed this matter with the Prime Minister of British Columbia. We are only too anxious to get all the timber from British Columbia and other parts of Canada for which we can find dollars. We have 1387 made a further special effort in the supply of steel, but not sufficient to enable us to import further timber.