§ Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the last date on which the Timber Advisory Committee met; whether he is aware that no meeting of that Committee has met since the disclosures to that Committee re Mr. Montague L. Meyer were made by the Chairman of that Committee; whether he is aware that the resolution which is alleged to have been passed unanimously at the last meeting, the accuracy of which is denied by both the Chairman and other members of that Committee, was never formed; and whether, as this is an additional reason for insisting upon a full impartial inquiry into this matter, he will now agree to it?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am informed that the last date on which the Timber Advisory Committee met was 17th March, 957W 1920. A meeting of the Committee was also held on 14th January, 1920, at which the minutes of the meeting of 20th November, 1919, were approved. Both of these meetings were subsequent to the meeting of 20th November, 1919, at which the resolution in question was passed. I am also informed that the hon. Member was invited to attend both subsequent meetings, but wrote stating his inability to attend. My information with regard to the resolution is, that it was passed unanimously at the meeting held on 20th November, at which the hon. Member was present. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has made inquiries as to whether Mr. Meyer was interested in the business of Messrs Hillas on January, 1919?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am informed by Mr. Montague L. Meyer that he was not in January, 1919, nor has he since been, interested in the business of Messrs. Hillas.
§ Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether import restrictions and free trading in imported timber was not allowed until the 31st March, 1919; whether he is aware that there was such a scarcity of flooring boards and other timber in January, 1919, that the 470 standards of flooring boards sold to Messrs. Hillas at £31 per standard could have been sold readily in the market at £40 per standard or more; and whether, if letters are produced from Mr. Meyer that he had no stock on hand in January, 1919, he will consider that sufficient evidence to have a complete inquiry into the whole subject?
§ Sir R. HORNERestrictions relating to the import of timber were removed on 31st March, 1919, but there were no restrictions on dealings in timber in this country after 1st January, 1919. There was a general scarcity in the country of all kinds of timber, but, as I have already informed the hon. Member, the particular parcel of 470 standards of flooring boards was not all of first quality or condition. I shall be ready to consider the letters referred to if the hon. Member will produce them to me.