53. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to a reduction in the building costs of houses, he will consider reducing the trading profits he is making out of timber, and allow the price of timber to become adjusted to the world market price.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe selling price of timber which is purchased on public account is fixed from time to time in relation to actual costs, and it is not the policy of the Board of Trade to make, over a period, either profit or loss on timber trading.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Minister aware that private enterprise would buy timber both from the right source and at the right price far better? Why is it that the Government go on making profits when we want houses built as completely as possible? It is an absolute scandal.