§ Mr. H. JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the price paid for the four blocks of timber situate at Pennal, in the county of Merioneth bought by the Timber Supply Department; whether the timber was inspected and valued prior to purchase and, if so, by whom; what is the amount of the expenditure incurred and to be incurred under all heads, excluding purchase money, in placing the timber on the market in South Wales or elsewhere; and what is the total sum the timber is estimated to realise?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe price paid was £l,560. The timber was inspected and valued by Mr. Fraser Story and Mr. J. W. Griffiths of the Timber Supply Department. The amount expended on labour,1314W plant, materials and supplies up to the end of January last was £9,455.It is impossible to give figures for the prospective expenditure, but it is not anticipated that any serious loss will be shown when the operation is finished. It was proposed to work this operation with other woods in the neighbourhood which were not required because of the Armistice. This, and the difficulty of the operation, make the costs high.