§ Mr. L. HASLAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention to release Government timber and to sell it to local authorities at cost price and below the current wholesale prices for such timber; and whether he has had any representations from timber merchants objecting to this suggestion?
§ Sir A. GEDDESYes, Sir. I have been in consultation with the Ministry of Health, and I am willing that Government timber for the purpose of building cottages under approved schemes which are big enough to take large supplies, should be disposed of at the lowest possible figure not involving an actual loss through the Ministry of Munitions. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative, but in view of the urgent national importance of keeping down as far as possible the cost of houses for the working classes, I have felt justified in making the offer above mentioned.