§ 15. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will direct the Forestry Commission to establish additional timber kilns, with a view to facilitating the maturity of home-grown timber for structural purposes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonNo, Sir. The seasoning of timber is a function of the home timber trade.
§ Mr. DempseyIs my hon. Friend aware that small-scale contractors have seasoned some of their home-grown timber and have been able to use it in housing construction, for which it had previously been regarded as unsuitable? If this practice were encouraged on a large scale, could it not lead to the reduction of timber imports and, therefore, to the easing of the balance of payments problem?
§ Dr. MabonTraders are very much aware of the need for change. They are in active discussion, not only with the Forestry Commission, but with ourselves and, to some extent, with the Board of Trade. We want to do everything we can to increase the supply of home-grown timber for building.
Earl of DalkeithWill the Minister of State assure the House that he will do his best to ensure that all forms of plant and machinery for processing homegrown timber will in future qualify for the maximum rate of investment grant?
§ Mr. NobleDoes not the Minister of State know that in my own constituency there is an extremely good example of the Forestry Commission and the homegrown timber trade doing this in conjunction? Will he at least consider this rather than leave it entirely to the homegrown timber trade to do it?
§ Dr. MabonI will certainly consider it. As I said when replying to my hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey), this is a matter of concern between the trade, the Forestry Commission and ourselves and, to some extent, the Board of Trade. It is fair that we should look at this more closely. There is a great argument about research here, about who should do the research, and about the financing of the research, quite apart from the point made by the noble Lord the Member for Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith). We will certainly bear these matters in mind.