§ 68. Mr. Errollasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the present stocks of unedged European oak held by his Department; what is the condition of these stocks; and what steps are being taken to prevent it deteriorating.
Mr. H. WilsonThe present national stock of unedged European oak is about 2½ million cubic feet. The material as a whole is in reasonable condition and is stored on behalf of the Board of Trade by reputable timber traders, who are under bond to exercise reasonable care.
§ 69. Mr. Errollasked the President of the Board of Trade how he is proposing to dispose of his stocks of unedged European oak originally acquired by him at prices considerably higher than those now prevailing.
Mr. H. WilsonThe c.i.f. prices now being asked by suppliers of unedged European oak are not, to the best of my information, lower than those paid by the Board of Trade. The first part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.