Mr. HAZLETONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the attention of the authorities has been called to the threatened shortage of butter, eggs, and fish boxes in Ireland; whether the stocks of foreign timber suitable for the making of such boxes is now very low; whether home-grown timber is being sent out of Ireland in considerable quantities in the form of sleepers, etc.; and whether steps will be taken without delay to see that box mills in Ireland are not left without timber for the purposes indicated?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe threatened shortage of these boxes and the lowness of stocks in Ireland have been brought to the attention of the Department and are the subjects of anxious consideration. A certain amount of Home-grown timber in the form of sleepers, etc., has been, and is being, sent out of Ireland, but the quantities are comparatively small. Every effort will be made to ensure that box mills in Ireland are not left unsupplied.