HC Deb 01 April 1953 vol 513 cc1224-8
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. James Stuart)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I should like to make a statement about the wind-blown timber in Scotland.

It is estimated that the total quantity blown is from 35 million to 40 million cubic feet, which is rather higher than the figure I previously quoted. A substantial start has been made in clearing up the mess. There are already some 300 additional men at work—most of whom were previously unemployed—and it should be possible to obtain the additional labour required, estimated at about 1,000 men, without widespread transfer from other parts of the country.

Arrangements for working about two-thirds of the timber have already been made between the owners and timber merchants, though in most cases the question of prices has been reserved until negotiations for marketing the converted produce have been completed. I am glad to say that progress has now been made with marketing arrangements.

A satisfactory agreement has been reached with the Railway Executive for the purchase of softwood sleepers and wagon timber, which it is estimated will absorb about half the sawn softwood resulting from the wind-blow. An agreement with the National Coal Board is expected to be concluded, at an early date. The prices show reductions which reflect the trend of timber prices generally, and are not the result of the wind-blow.

To assist in the disposal of the remaining softwood timber, the Minister of Materials is arranging for the Departments who issue licences for the consumption of softwood to endorse the licences, where practicable, as available for homegrown timber only. Endorsed licences of this kind will be issued to consumers not only in Scotland, but in the northern counties of England, where it is hoped that Scottish timber will be available in reasonable quantities. Instructions are now being sent to the Departments concerned, and the issue of these special licences should begin soon afterwards.

The Minister of Materials is also arranging that departments who receive softwood allocations will be able to issue licences for home-grown softwood against their allocations for the second half-year, some weeks earlier than would normally be the practice. [Interruption.]

Mr. Boothby

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This statement is of vital importance to some of us. May I appeal to hon. Members to stop their conversation for a moment because this statement does interest some of us a good deal, although I quite agree that it is not of great interest to the bulk of hon. Members.

Hon. Members: Speak up.

Mr. Stuart

I was doing my best to speak up. I was half shouting. I can assure hon. Members that this statement is very important to some people.

It is earnestly hoped that licensed softwood consumers in Scotland and Northern England will co-operate by making the utmost use of this homegrown timber against any licences already issued to them, and by readily accepting licences valid only for home-grown softwood for some purposes for which they would ordinarily have used imported timber.

The sawmilling capacity in the affected area, even after allowance is made for the transfer of mills to the area, would be inadequate to deal with the timber in time to prevent serious deterioration or the building up of a population of bark beetles which would be a threat to the remaining crops of growing timber. It is, therefore, necessary to transport timber in the log for conversion at mills elsewhere in Scotland, and this movement involves heavy additional costs.

The Government have, therefore, decided to assist in meeting the additional costs which arise in these quite exceptional circumstances, and are prepared, until 31st December, 1954, to pay two-thirds of the rail freight involved in transporting wind-blown round logs to mills outside the area, up to a maximum rail freight of 50s. per ton. Details of the operation of this scheme will shortly be announced by the Forestry Commission.

Special problems have arisen in connection with the pitwood. Some of it will have to be transported outside the area for conversion, and certain categories of production will be in excess of requirements in the Scottish coalfield, which is the normal market for pitwood from this area. This material will, therefore, have to be absorbed in the English and possibly the Welsh coalfields. In these very special circumstances, the Government will assist in meeting the additional costs involved. The effect will be that sellers will get as nearly as possible the same return as if the pitwood had been dispatched in the ordinary way to the Scottish coalfields.

In taking these steps, the Government feel that they have cleared the way for the conclusion of satisfactory price agreements between owners and merchants for the blown timber. I have noted with satisfaction that the organisations representing owners and merchants have been co-operating closely, and I understand that they will jointly issue advice to their members on the question of prices. Owners, if in doubt, would be well advised to seek advice from their organisations.

Mr. Woodburn

I am sure that all hon. Members, wherever they come from, will be glad to know that this timber is not to be lost but is to be used. That, I think, is the most important matter economically. I am sure that the House will also be surprised to learn, as I understand is the case, that the damage in Scotland is well above the Goschen formula compared with the damage in the South. I am sure that we were all of opinion that the damage in the North was less than in the South, but it has turned out to be otherwise. I am sure also that we are very glad that the Secretary of State has been able to arrange for the employment of so many unemployed people in the North to deal with this timber.

With regard to the endorsement of licences for the use of home-grown timber, the Secretary of State did not say that there is to be any increase in the licences issued to those Departments which can use home-grown timber. It appears to me that great use could be made of this timber in housing, and that it would be an economy as well as a means of using the timber, because it would save the costs of cement and other things.

Therefore, I should like to ask the Secretary of State whether the issue of these licences includes an increased permission to local authorities and other people so that they may use the timber in the construction of houses, such as in floors and so forth. I think the House will agree that it has been a wise decision to provide for a rationalisation of the rail services in order to ensure that timber shall be used. In conclusion, I should like to ask the Secretary of State to reply to my question about the use of timber in houses.

Mr. Stuart

I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman an assurance about the use of timber in houses. The point is that it is quite easy to absorb this timber in the normal marketing process. It does not represent such a large percentage of our total requirements, and I think the right hon. Gentleman will find that it can easily be absorbed in the normal marketing process.

Mr. Boothby

In thanking my right hon. Friend for his statement, which will be greatly appreciated, may I ask him quite briefly whether he is in a position to give any estimate of the quantity of timber that will be taken by the National Coal Board and the Transport Commission respectively, and the approximate price. He may not be in a position to do so, but if he can it will be appreciated.

Mr. Stuart

I can answer my hon. Friend on his point about the Railway Executive. It amounts to this: sleepers and crossings, 8,000 standards or 1,320,000 cubic feet; wagon bottoms and sheeting, 20,000 standards or 3,300,000 cubic feet. The Coal Board negotiations are not complete.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the arrangements that he has made for the restriction of imports of foreign timber will completely protect this wind-blown timber so far as its disposal is concerned, or whether the wind-blown timber will still have to compete to any extent with imported timber?

Mr. Stuart

I think the hon. and learned Gentleman may be assured that we shall still have to import because the wind-blown is a very small percentage of the timber that we have to use. The imports will not affect our ability to use the wind-blown.

Mr. Spence

May I ask the Secretary of State two questions? First, will he publish as soon as possible details of the machinery under which the payment of freight charges can be recovered? Second, can he give any assurance on what is to happen to money that is received from the sale of blown timber? Can this be held in a blocked account against reafforestation? Has my right hon. Friend given consideration to that matter?

Mr. Stuart

In reply to the first point, I did say in my statement that the arrangements for working out the transport and freight charges will be published shortly. On the second point, the first essential is the clearing of the damaged areas. Replanting cannot commence until more than four years have passed, so I would rather concentrate on this emergency for the moment.