HC Deb 30 June 1953 vol 517 cc204-5
67. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Materials if he will consider applications from furniture manufacturers to be added to the approved list of hardwood and plywood importers.

The Minister of Materials (Sir Arthur Salter)

There is no approved list of hardwood importers. As regards plywood, import licences are issued only to purchasers from the Ministry's stocks, for the reasons given in yesterday's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro). The orderly disposal of these stocks is best ensured by confining sales to plywood traders who can buy and distribute a wide range of specifications. I cannot at present, therefore, recommend the grant of import licences to furniture manufacturers or other consumers.

Mr. Hall

Do I understand from that answer that furniture manufacturers can now import hardwood direct, without going through any other channels?

Sir A. Salter

Hardwood importers can do so, subject of course to the limitation upon any importations which involve foreign exchange.

Mr. Paget

Do we take it that it is Government policy artificially to preserve the middleman's position?

Sir A. Salter

We are disposing of a diminishing stock of plywood, and in order to do that we sell it to the regular importers.