HC Deb 15 November 1939 vol 353 cc733-5W
Commander Locker-Lampson

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the prices of raw material issued in a booklet by the timber control enable merchants to add 20 per cent. to the price provided the orders are under £15 and that furniture manufacturers find themselves unable to purchase in large quantities owing to this restriction; and what steps he intends to take to remedy the position?

Mr. Burgin

The percentage addition to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is provided for in the schedule of maximum prices forming part of the Control of Timber (No. 1) Order, and follows the customary trade practice of allowing for the disproportionate handling, etc., charges on relatively small orders. I shall be glad to receive particulars of any case of suggested abuse of this provision.

Commander Locker-Lampson

asked the Minister of Supply, what salary is paid to the new Controller of Timber; how many assistants work with him, and at what salaries; and what was the cost of transporting the timber control to Bristol, and the monthly maintenance in salaries and otherwise?

Mr. Burgin

The salary authorised for the post of Controller of the Timber Control is £1,500 per annum but, as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon South (Sir H. Williams) on 2nd November, the present Controller has up to the present not accepted any remuneration. In regard to the second and fourth parts of the question, the statements which I promised to the hon. Member for Salford, North (Mr. Morris) on 19th October and to the hon. Member for South-West St. Pancras (Sir G. Mitcheson) on 26th October are nearing completion, and I propose to place a copy in the Library of the House.

With regard to the third part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend will perhaps inform me what particulars he has in mind, as the headquarters of the Control were already at Bristol when its war-time functions came into operation.

Commander Locker-Lampson

asked the Minister of Supply whether the Timber Controller and his assistants had a business interest in the timber trade, either abroad or at home; and do they retain this interest?

Mr. Burgin

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) on 1st November.