HC Deb 24 June 1954 vol 529 cc579-80
16. Colonel Clarke

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the Forestry Commission having revived the Pitwood Working Party, he will inform the House what recommendations they have made regarding the preparation, distribution and marketing of homegrown pitwood.

Sir T. Dugdale

The Working Party has not yet reported.

Colonel Clarke

Would the Minister bear in mind that there is a certain urgency about this matter, since the prices which the Forestry Commission got in the second half of last year were greatly reduced? Further, in their Report, the Commission said that the Report to which I referred in my Question was expected early this year.

Sir T. Dugdale

The Working Party has had four meetings and an interim report is expected very soon.