§ Mr. Kirbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the complaints of the timber importers and contractors in this country of unfair competition in securing Government and other contracts due to the fact that they have to pay 10 per cent. duty on all their imports, including raw material, whereas foreigners can import manufactured woods at the same 10 per cent. duty, and importers from Empire sources may import manufactured woods free; that importers have to comply with fair-wage clause and other restrictions not binding on Empire and foreign importers, who thus gain an advantage; and will he take steps to place raw material for the saw-milling and wood-working industry in this country on the free list?
§ Mr. StanleyI have received representations recently from the saw-milling and wood-working section of the timber trade about the duties on certain kinds of timber, and the position was fully discussed with a deputation representative of the trade by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, on nth May. In the case of Government contracts, it is the practice to give a preference to goods made in this country over imported goods. With regard to the last part of the question, the trade agreements with Canada and India contain an undertaking to maintain a preference of 10 per cent. on the kinds of timber in which they have an important interest, and for this reason, if for no other, I am afraid that it would not be possible for me to pursue the hon. Member's suggestion.