54. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the improved financial position of this country and the increase in the gold reserves, he will confer with the Ministers of Health and Supply and the President of the Board of Trade, with a view to sanctioning the increase in the imports of timber to this country for the purpose of expediting the Government's building programme.
§ The Minister of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Gaitskell)While, as my right hon. and learned Friend has emphasised, our gold reserves are still far from adequate and we must continue to control dollar expenditure strictly, we hope to be able to allot sufficient dollars to purchase the timber needed for the housing programme.
Mr. De la BèreAre we to understand that, if there is any doubt at all, the housing programme will have to suffer? Is not the Minister aware that the supply of timber is still inadequate, and that many of the forms of timber are not suitable for the purpose for which they are offered? This is a grave scandal.
§ Mr. GaitskellThere is no reason to suppose that we shall not be able to buy the timber we need, and to spend the dollars we need, for this purpose. I am not prepared to agree that there is a shortage of timber which has affected the housing programme.