§ Mr. Kirbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the requests made by representatives of the saw-milling industry for the free listing of many classes of log timber, the duties upon which have caused considerable deterioration in trade, with a consequent increase in unemployment, in recent years; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the complaints of those engaged in this important industry?
1963W
§ Mr. CrossAs my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member on the 23rd May, the trade agreements with Canada and India contain an undertaking to maintain a preference of 10 per cent. On the kinds of timber in which they have an important interest. These undertakings preclude the Government from reducing the duty on a large variety of timbers, but it is open to the interests concerned to make application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for the placing on the free list of logs of kinds which are not affected by these undertakings.