Lord CHELWOODasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the c.i.f. cost of all imported timber and timber products in 1973, 1974 and 1975; what percentage this was of the nation's requirements; and what is their estimate of the cost (a) at today's prices, and (b) in fifty years' time 842WA assuming price increases of 5 per cent. per annum, if planting by the Forestry Commission and by private landowners remains at the average level of those three years.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMThe c.i.f. costs of imported timber and timber products for the years 1973, 1974 and 1975 were £831 million, £1,039 million and £843 million respectively. Imports as a percentage of national requirements in these years were 92, 91 and 89 per cent. respectively. Estimates are not available of the level of imports in 50 years' time.
Note: Timber and timber products are defined as Standard International Trade Classification Divisions 24 (excluding Hdg 244—cork), 25 (excluding Hdg 251.1—waste paper) and 63 (Hdg 631 only).