§ Mr. RAPERasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total quantity of sawn and planed goods which have been purchased by the British Government since the Armistice from, respectively, Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Finland; the dates these purchases were made; and the basis prices paid?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe quantities of sawn and planed good purchased by His Majesty's Government in the undermentioned countries since the Armistice and the basis prices (F.O.B.) are as follow:—
Standard Per Standard Canada … 383,000 … £16 Sweden … 120,000 … £22 Norway … 21,000 … £24 Finland … 9,500 … £19 These purchase were made over the period 11th November, 1918, to 31st March, 1919.
Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade what kinds of homegrown timber have been purchased by the Government and at what rates per cubic foot; at what rates they have been disposed of; the total amount paid by the Government up to the latest date for which figures are available; and the total outstanding liability of the Government for purchases not yet completed?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANHome grown standing timber of all merchantable species has been purchased by the Government at rates per cubic foot varying widely with species, quality and situation. The maximum prices scheduled in the Home Grown Timber Prices Order of 1918 ruled where maiximum prices were justified. These were as follow:—
61W
Per cubic foot. Not exceeding s. d. Larch 1 4 Scots Pine and Douglas Fir 0 11 Spruce and other coniferous timber excepting the above 0 10
Per cubic foot. Not exceeding s. d. Ash—Selected for Aeroplane purposes 5 0 Ash—For other purposes 3 0 Ash—Inferior descriptions. 1 6 Oak—Well grown, selected trees 3 3 Oak—Well grown, whole parcels 2 3 Oak—Inferior descriptions 1 3 Sycamore and Hornbeam 2 0 Chestnut (Spanish) 1 0 Chestnut (Spanish) selected trees 2 0 Beech 1 6 Poplar, Alder and Lime 1 3 Elm 1 0 Other common Hardwoods 1 0 The standing timber so purchased was largely manufactured by the Department and' disposed of at current ruling prices, and the standing timber which had been purchased but remained unconverted at the Armistice has very largely been disposed of at the price per cubic foot paid for it. The total amount paid by the Government in respect of purchases of standing home-grown timber to 31st January, 1920 is £5,504,000, and the outstanding liabilities are £119,000, as ascertained at 31st January, 1920.
Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade if the stocks of timber purchased by the Government have been disposed of; and, if so, what is the quantity so disposed of, the amount received for same, the estimated profits or loss in the transaction, the persons to whom the sale has been made, and the conditions of sale?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNegotiations for the disposal of the timber purchased by the Government are well advanced, out no complete argreement has yet been signed. I am, therefore, unable at present to give the figures asked for in the latter part of the question.