HC Deb 21 December 1964 vol 704 cc830-1
4. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what steps he is taking, in consultation with other Departments, to encourage the use of home-grown timber, in view of the need to reduce imports and the 15 per cent. surcharge.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources (Mr. Arthur Skeffington)

My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that any special steps are necessary. The Forestry Commission will continue, in consultation with other Departments and the interests concerned and with the support of Ministers where necessary, to encourage the use of home-grown timber and to discourage discrimination against it. No doubt the temporary surcharge will stimulate consumers' interest in this home-produced material. In the principal categories of wood and wood products which are subject to the surcharge—such as newsprint, fibre board and chip board—material produced from home-grown timber is on the whole finding a ready market.

Mr. Digby

Surely this is just the time to draw the attention of other Departments to the effect on our homegrown timber, at the very moment when the output is increasing and is to continue increasing both from private woodlands and from the Forestry Commission woodlands. The hon. Gentleman can hardly expect a better moment. Will he not think again about this and circularise other Departments which are users of timber?

Mr. Skeffington

This has already been done. The National Coal Board, the Ministry of Transport and other Departments are taking steps to acquire even more home-grown timber than they have acquired up to now.

Mr. Manuel

Would my hon. Friend indicate the percentage of home-grown timber used by the Post Office and what percentage is imported for use by that Department?

Mr. Skeffington

I cannot give those figures without notice. The total use of home-grown timber, compared with the total used, is only about 10 per cent. If my hon. Friend puts down the appropriate Question, I will give the precise details.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Will the Minister keep in mind the importance of continuing experiments with home-grown timber particularly with regard to its use in the nationalised industries, and would he encourage it?

Mr. Skeffington

This is so. Perhaps the hon. Member knows that British Standard Code of Practice No. 112 has been issued which, I think, makes it very much easier for home-grown timber to be used, since the standard now gives a specification which home-grown timber can fully meet.