HC Deb 08 March 1951 vol 485 c92W
110. Mr. Haire

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average increase in the price of home-grown and imported hardwood since bulk purchase by Timber Control ceased a year ago.

Mr. H. Wilson

I have not enough information about the prices currently being paid by private traders for the many species and grades of home-grown and imported hardwoods to give the figure asked for. We are at present trying to revise the hardwood element of the Wholesale Price Index, in consultation with the hardwood trade, to provide weightings which accord more closely with the present pattern of consumption and to get price quotations. Until this revision is completed satisfactorily, the Index will not reflect changes in hardwood prices as accurately as we could wish.