§ 55. Captain Duncanasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will negotiate with British Railways for a reduction of freight charges on timber in the round carried by rail from the North-East of Scotland to mills in the South.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Forestry Commission are aware of the problem and have already approached the Railway Executive on this subject.
§ Captain DuncanWith what result?
§ Sir T. DugdaleIt is too early to say.
§ Captain DuncanIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a shortage of milling capacity in North-East Scotland and if logs in the round could be carried cheaply to the mills in the South it would relieve the pressure on existing mills in the North-East?
§ Sir T. DugdaleYes, Sir. I am aware of that point and that is why the Chairman of the Forestry Commission has approached the Railway Executive.
§ Mr. ManuelIs the Minister aware that it is estimated that timber merchants will get this fallen timber at a much cheaper rate than that paid for standing timber? If there are to be cheap freight rates on the Highland railways, will he, watch that this type of traffic does not get them in preference to feedingstuffs for livestock and food for our population?
§ Sir T. DugdaleYes, Sir, but the hon. Member must not take it from my reply that anything has been decided one way or the other.
Mr. I. O. ThomasWould the Minister consider, as an alternative, increasing the sawmill capacity in the North to cut down this double journey in transporting timber?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThat is not one of my responsibilities as Minister of Agriculture.