§ Mr. Bidwellasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the 20 per cent. increases in retail timber prices which are being made on the grounds that devaluation makes such increases necessary to pay for stock replacements.
§ Mr. Darling:No. Timber is being continuously imported and it is not customary for stocks to be held for long periods. It is, therefore, normal practice in the timber trade for stocks to be sold at replacement prices which may be higher or lower. My information is that in general timber prices have not increased as much as my hon. Friend suggests.