HC Deb 31 March 1953 vol 513 cc1015-7
22 and 23. Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the most recent estimate of the total damage done to Scottish forests and woodlands by the gale of 1st February, 1953, and subsequently; and whether he is satisfied that the arrangements made will ensure orderly marketing, a fair price for the grower and the sawmiller, and an efficient and reasonably quick clearance of the ground;

(2) what additional labour force will operate in the devastated areas of Scotland to deal with timber clearance; and how many additional sawmills it is proposed to set up.

29. Captain Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement on the arrangements so far made for handling the fallen timber in Scotland, with particular reference to the negotiations for reduced charges on the railways and to the prices for the timber.

48 and 52. Mr. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether the negotiations with the Transport Executive regarding reduced freight charges for blown timber have now reached a satisfactory conclusion;

(2) whether the National Coal Board and the Transport Commission have now agreed to purchase blown timber from the North of Scotland; and in what quantities, and at what price.

Mr. Snadden

My right hon. Friend had intended to make a short comprehensive statement about the Scottish windblown timber this afternoon, but he very much regrets that some details of the arrangements which he had hoped to announce have not yet been fully worked out. He intends to make a statement before the House rises for Easter.

Mr. Spence

Could my hon. Friend give a more definite assurance on the timing of this statement? Can we have a definite assurance that a statement will be made after Question time tomorrow, and that the statement will deal with the question of freight charges?

Mr. Snadden

I cannot add to what I have said. My right hon. Friend will make the statement immediately he has the information to which I have referred. Whether that will be tomorrow or Thursday, I am unable to say, but I can say that the statement he will make will cover the questions referred to by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Boothby

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, while we on this side of the House all agree that the statement should be comprehensive, there is no unanimity about it being short, and we hope that we shall have an absolutely full statement dealing with this problem? As the time of the House is not at stake and there is no reason why the statement should be short, why does my hon. Friend say that it will be short?

Mr. Snadden

I think my hon. Friend can leave that to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

Lieut-Colonel Elliot

In dealing with the question of the fallen timber and the freight charges, will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State be able to deal with the fact that there are, to my knowledge, important timber projects in the South which cannot be carried out for lack of timber, whereas in the North there is a surplus of timber which has not yet been brought into productive use?

Mr. Snadden

I think we should await the statement of my right hon. Friend.