§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, seeing that Australian hardwood paving blocks are not regarded favourably by local authorities on the ground that they are not satisfactory for the purpose, if he is making inquiries as to whether there is any other alternative Empire-grown wood which would anwer the purpose, so as to avoid a large number of orders of this nature being placed in foreign countries?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to reply. Various attempts have been made to introduce for use as paving materials a wider range of timber, both home-grown own and Empire-grown, but up till now the results have been somewhat disappointing, owing to cost of freight, difficulties of standardisation, etc. While welcoming any specific proposal that may be submitted for the utilisation of Empire-grown wood, I do not see my way to instituting the general inquiry which my hon. Friend suggests.