§ 2. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Materials if he will make a statement of Government policy arising out of the report of the committee on consumption licensing of softwood.
§ 11. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Materials what decision has been reached on the progressive relaxation of the licensing of softwood in the light of the estimate now agreed that the complete removal of licensing would result in an increase in consumption of only 230,000 standards a year.
§ 14. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Materials if he will now give consideration to the representations of the Timber Industries Committee and the timber trade generally to the effect that any seeming disadvantage arising from increased home consumption of timber will be outweighed by the advantages accruing from the removal of this last major control, which will restore to users a free choice of materials; and, as the present time presents a favourable opportunity, if he will take this step immediately.
§ Sir A. SalterThe opinions of the timber trade are given due consideration. I must point out, however, that the cost of importing 230,000 standards, at present prices, would be no less than £15 million. Even with allowance for offsetting economies the prospective increase in softwood consumption, and, therefore, in imports, if consumption control were removed, would be formidable. But the Government have no wish to arrive at hasty conclusions on this account without weighing completely the other factors involved. I will make an announcement as soon as a decision is reached.
§ Mr. ErrollWould my right hon. Friend make a progressive relaxation in the licensing of consumption of imported softwood to see whether the demand has really reached the figures estimated? If so, could he say when this further statement will be made?
§ Sir A. SalterSome slight relaxations have been made, but we are very carefully considering whether further relaxations are now possible. I will make an announcement as soon as I can.
§ Mr. HurdMay we take it that my right hon. Friend will try to free one use after another—I am referring to the end use—so that we can obtain real economies in the cost of housebuilding, and so on? The Minister spoke of undue haste as being undesirable. May we take it that he will not allow this state of affairs to continue for too long? It seems to many of us that we have had an undue prolongation of this rationing.
§ Sir A. SalterI do not think that I spoke of undue haste. We are working on this very urgently indeed. There is considerable difficulty in picking out one or two further cases for relaxation 4 because they overlap so much, but the matter is being very urgently worked on.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs my right hon. Friend aware that the existing restrictions on the consumption of timber enable a supplying country to regulate its production to a known volume of imports and thus maintain artificially high prices? Is he aware that there is every reason to believe that if the restrictions were removed the timber trade could obtain even larger quantities of timber for even less foreign exchange?
§ Sir A. SalterI know that that argument is used and, doubtless, there is some truth in it, but it must be remembered that the removal of these restrictions would mean a considerable increase in demand and that that would operate in the other direction.