HC Deb 09 February 1953 vol 511 cc17-8
27. Major Anstruther-Gray

asked the Minister of Materials whether he will take into consideration the large quantities of home-grown timber blown down by last week's gales before agreeing to any further importations of timber from overseas.

Mr. H. Strauss

Any extra hardwood resulting from the recent gales will be taken into consideration when future import programmes are drawn up. Softwood is imported on open individual import licence and contracts for the bulk of this year's deliveries have already been made. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Materials is now considering with the Secretary of State for Scotland the problem created by the gales.

Major Anstruther-Gray

Do we take it that a scheme of storage of this blown-down timber is being considered. in view of the fact that no less than 10 years' felling of softwood over certain parts of Scotland was blown down last week?

Mr. Strauss

We are well aware of the seriousness of what happened in the destruction last week, and my right hon. Friends the Minister of Materials and the Secretary of State for Scotland are considering this matter. As the House may be aware, a number of Questions have been put down to the Secretary of State for Scotland on this subject.

Mr. Spence

Has consideration been given to the question of whether the licensing for the felling of timber might be restricted during the time that this surplus of blown-down timber is available? Will my hon. and learned Friend consider what effect that might have on concentrating the available labour squads in Scotland?

Mr. Strauss

I will see that all these points are brought to the notice of the Ministers concerned.