Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will explain why the War Office or its agents are going direct to the timber mill-owners in America for quotations, although some of these owners have agents in London and Liverpool who have for years handled the 1910W whole of the output for European markets; if he will state the names of the timber trade papers in this country in which the War Office requirements for timber are advertised; and if he will consider the advisability when special timber is required to apply to houses accustomed to dealing in it in this country instead of relying upon newspaper advertisements?
Mr. BAKERBritish firms have already been given full opportunity of quoting for the timber for pontoon work for which inquiries are now being made in America and Canada. The requirements of the War Office have been advertised in the "Timber Trades Journal," "Timber and Woodworking Machinery and Timber News." A number of replies have been received, and these will be fully considered before any order is placed abroad. The War Office had recourse to advertising on the present occasion in order to give the widest publicity to their requirements.