§ Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to make greater use of the timber resources of the Colonies.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe development of Colonial timber resources is being assisted by the granting of concessions by Colonial Governments on terms designed to encourage efficient exploitation and to permit natural regeneration of the original forests and fiscal measures favouring the local conversion of logs to lumber; and also by the improvement of communications. Large scale plantations of exotic trees have been made especially in East Africa. Expansion of the research into the pulping properties of Colonial hardwoods is also planned. In some of these developments the Colonial Development Corporation is playing a part.
Some indication of the success of these measures is given by the expansion of Colonial timber exports from approximately 15 million cubic feet in 1947 to about 40 million cubic feet in 1951. This expansion has, however, also been greatly encouraged by the restrictions on supplies of softwoods on account of currency difficulties and the consequent high prices paid for tropical hardwoods.