§ 25. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Materials on what principle he acts in granting or refusing licences for the use of home-grown softwood; and how he applies that principle in Scotland to wind-blown timber suitable for making boxes and packing cases.
§ Sir A. SalterDepartments responsible for issuing timber licences on my behalf have been instructed, where practicable, to make them available only for homegrown timber when these licences are granted to consumers in Scotland and northern England. The detailed application of this scheme is under constant review with representatives of the Scottish home-grown and imported timber trades and the Scottish packing case manufacturers. In general, however, the aim is that home-grown softwood should be used instead of imported in the production of boxes and packing cases to the greatest possible extent.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that it is contrary to the national interest to apply his principles so rigidly that they cannot deal with an emergency such as that created by the recent storm? Will he therefore apply his principles with sufficient elasticity as not to injure the box making industry?
§ Sir A. SalterIf the hon. and learned Gentleman will read the answer I have just given he will see that we are not applying the rule rigidly, but that we are attempting to help in the emergency resulting from the gale in Scotland by the licensing of home-grown timber only, which I have explained; in addition to which we have somewhat extended recently the uses for which softwood may be employed.
§ 26. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Materials if he is aware that the Aberdeen and District Packing Case Manufacturers are in a position to use each month from 70,000 to 80,000 cubic feet of wind-blown timber if his Department's licensing scheme will permit them to do so; that the present licensing scheme is causing unemployment in that industry; and if he will take immediate steps to permit the full use of wind-blown timber in order to avoid such unemployment.
§ Sir A. SalterThe use of softwood in packing cases has now been extended and, as I have just said, special arrangements have been made to encourage the use of home timber from the devastated areas. It is, of course, true that a general removal of all consumption restrictions would further accelerate the disposal of the wind-blown timber. This would, however, inevitably result in a higher importation of softwood than is now taking place or than we can afford. I have no evidence of unemployment having arisen in the case-making industry since the Scottish gales as a result of the arrangements for timber licensing.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that the manner in which the licensing system has been implemented has coerced Scottish box making firms to buy foreign timber for box making, thereby using valuable British currency in a way that could be avoided? Will he take action to avoid that?
§ Sir A. SalterNo, I am not aware that the way in which the licensing system has been applied has had or could reasonably be thought to have that result, but I shall be very glad to discuss the matter with the hon. and learned Gentleman.
§ Lady TweedsmuirHas my right hon. Friend recommended to the Minister of Housing and Local Government that all house floors in Scotland should be made of timber only and not cement?
§ Sir A. SalterNo, I have not. As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) just now, the great bulk of the softwood timber which we use in this country, 95 per cent. or more, is imported for foreign exchange. The permission to use softwood for floors in houses, which could not be confined to one part of the country, would, I think, gravely endanger the system which is so important to our balance of payments position.