§ 28. Mr. Nabarroasked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the recent Anglo-Canadian and Anglo-Russian contracts 1175 for imports of softwoods into the United Kingdom during 1951, what will be the total estimated imports of softwoods, excluding pit wood and plywood, during the calendar year 1951; what will be the aggregate number of standards of softwood for which his Department will issue consumption licences during the calendar year 1951; and whether he can state the comparable figures for total imports and total consumption in respect of the calendar year 1950.
§ Mr. StokesI am not prepared to forecast arrivals of softwood up to the end of this year, except to say that they will be pretty good, since there are so many hazards which may prevent the fulfilment of present estimates. Our imports of sawn softwood should be very much greater than in 1950, when they were some 825,000 standards. The present rate of consumption is about 1.1 million standards a year as compared with just over one million standards in 1950. The future level of consumption must depend on the adequacy of our stocks for commercial and other purposes, and on our balance of overseas payments.
§ Mr. NabarroWhile not wishing to press the right hon. Gentleman in regard to strategic requirements, may I ask whether he can give the House an assurance that the stockpiling programme for softwood timber is proceeding satisfactorily and in accordance with the schedule originally arranged by his right hon. Friend, the former President of the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. StokesI am not quite sure about the schedule prepared. I can only assure the hon. Gentleman that by Christmas of this year it will be very much higher than I ever anticipated.