§ 37. Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present method whereby timber merchants obtain releases from the 38,000 standards reserve; and what simplification he proposes in that method.
Mr. H. WilsonTimber is released from this reserve only when a user has satisfied an area officer of Timber Control that he cannot meet his essential requirements, as authorised on his consumption licence, from stocks already in merchants' hands. The release is made through a merchant nominated by the user. I do not propose to make any alteration in this arrangement.
§ Mr. PowellDoes the Minister realise that under present arrangements it is sometimes necessary for a consumer to approach 50 or 60 separate merchants before he can satisfy the area officer? Will he therefore look at the matter again?
Mr. WilsonNo, Sir, I am not aware of any such arrangements, but if the hon. Member will submit cases I will have a look at them.
Major LloydWill the right hon. Gentleman follow the example of his colleague, and begin to make some experiments in freedom in this matter?
Mr. WilsonI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the attempt I made to secure freedom in the case of the timber trade, where I had great difficulties with private traders who wanted to keep on rings and controls after I took off control.
§ Mr. OsborneWill the right hon. Gentleman speed up the supply of timber? There are houses still uncompleted owing to lack of timber, while timber is stacked in reserves ready for use.
Mr. WilsonIf the hon. Member can give an indication of such cases, I will see that the timber is made available from these reserves for this purpose.