§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Minister of Supply, why it has been decided to close the Dundee office of the Timber Control, which has recently served Angus, Perthshire and Fife; and what reply has been sent to the petition presented by a large number of timber merchants, joiners, hackle-makers and others on this subject?
§ Mr. BurginExperience has shown that the volume of business transacted by the Timber Control in the East coast area of Scotland is not such as to justify the maintenance of separate area offices at 723W Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee. In order, therefore, to economise in administration it has been decided to amalgamate these offices with the area office at Edinburgh. In arriving at this decision full weight has been given to the petition referred to by my hon. Friend. A reply to this effect is being sent to the agents for the petitioners.
§ Captain Ramsayasked the Minister of Supply whether he can now implement the assurances which he gave recently to the Member for South Midlothian to the effect that he would make every effort to secure the delivery of sufficient timber for the roofing of the otherwise completed structure of the church at Newton grange, Midlothian?
§ Mr. BurginWhile I cannot agree that I went so far as to give my hon. and gallant Friend any such assurances, I am glad to be able to inform him that on 21st February, after a meeting with the architect at which certain economies were agreed to, the Department of Health for Scotland authorised the purchase of the timber required to complete the church.