HC Deb 29 October 1956 vol 558 cc1055-6
28. Sir W. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Report of the Watson Committee on timber marketing is to be published.

30. Sir I. Orr-Ewing

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Committee set up by him to examine and report on the position as regards the conversion and marketing of home-grown timber has yet reported; and when the report will be published.

Mr. Amory

The Report, which is dated May, 1956, was sent to the Ministers jointly responsible for forestry matters early in July last. I hope that it will be published early in December.

Sir I. Orr-Ewing

Is that not really a long time between the reception of the Report and its publication, because this is now becoming a very urgent matter? Could my right hon. Friend give some assurance that the matter is receiving the urgent attention which it really deserves, not only from the point of view of the Forestry Commission, where vast sums of public money are invested, but also from the point of view of the private forester?

Mr. Amory

I agree that it is an important Report. I sent it on for printing very shortly after I received it. There has been no avoidable delay.