HC Deb 09 March 1953 vol 512 cc834-5
44. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a direction to the British Transport Commission under Section 4 of the Transport Act, 1947, to introduce a flat rate for the carriage of timber in Scotland as an emergency measure for one year.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I regard this as a matter for the British Transport Commission and not one in which I should exercise any compulsory powers which I may have under the Transport Act. Discussions are going on between the Commission and other interested parties, and I have asked the Chairman of the Commission to inform my hon. Friend of the results.

Mr. Spence

Does the Minister not agree that in the light of the disaster which Scotland has suffered over this blown timber, the question of a flat rate is one for discussion at Cabinet level? Has he had discussions with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I certainly had discussions with him, as a result of which my right hon. Friend made his statement in the House on 19th February.

Mr. Manuel

Would the Minister recognise that this proposed flat rate would, in the main, help the middle man in the timber industry in Scotland? I have every reason to believe that profits are already very good indeed. If a flat rate is to be considered in Scotland, should it not be introduced for the transport of food and feedingstuffs to the Highlands and not for timber?

Mr. Spence

Does the Minister realise that it is the grower who would benefit from the flat rate, since the main desire is to ship timber in the bulk to the saw mills of the South of Scotland.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

That may well be, and there is no reason why a flat rate should not be considered, but it is also my duty and the duty of the Commission to see that the whole financial burden is not placed on the railways. This matter is being profitably discussed between the Forestry Commission and the British Transport Commission.