§ 30. Mr. Bossomasked the Lord Privy Seal why the timber for housing work has not been cut into the scantlings required at its place of origin, instead of the tree-trunks being shipped to Great Britain, thus wasting freight charges upon a quantity of wood which is not used.
§ Mr. StokesIf the hon. Member will give me particulars of the imports of tree-trunks to which he refers, I will look into the matter. It is usual to import timber for housing in the form of sawn softwood of recognised dimensions.
§ Mr. BossomIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great many tree-trunks have been imported in this way, and that it is perfectly proper and easy to do it the other way, which is the normal way in ordinary commercial practice?
§ Mr. StokesI have asked the hon. Gentleman for particulars. It does not necessarily follow that because logs come in they are not wanted. Wood used for shoring, pile work on docks, and so on, is brought in as bulk timber. If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars I will certainly examine them.
§ Mr. BossomIs the Minister not aware that, if he will look into this question of logs coming in in that way he will find straight away that a good many of them are being cut up afterwards for use in housing work?
§ Mr. StokesIf the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars I will look at it.
§ Mr. BossomI will certainly send particulars.