§ Mr. Flemingasked the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Manchester Timber Trade Association, and whether he proposes to adopt the suggestion therein, that the control personnel should be drawn from the agents' and brokers' section of the trade, and that licences should be issued only by such officials?
§ Mr. BurginThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The control personnel includes persons drawn from the agents' and brokers' section of the trade as well as from the importing and merchanting sections. The issue of licences, however, requires practical knowledge of timber consumption, and it is necessary to employ upon this part of the control's work persons possessing such knowledge.
§ Mr. Gledhillasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that manufacturers of wooden products are unable to obtain a licence from the Timber Control Department as long as they have any stock in their yard seasoning; and whether in order to overcome this difficulty, he will bring into immediate operation some form of rationing whereby manufacturers can purchase a reasonable percentage of their normal requirements?
§ Mr. BurginEvery effort is being made to ensure the equitable distribution among all consumers of supplies of timber, with due regard to the prior claims of the Defence Departments, the export trade, and other national services. In present circumstances, it is necessary when considering applications for licences, to take account of stocks held by applicants. I shall be glad to investigate any specific case of hardship which my hon. Friend may have in mind.
§ Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Supply whether he can state the terms of appointment of the timber controller; on what date he was first retained for this purpose; and from what date he was first remunerated?
2133W
§ Mr. BurginAfter my assumption of the duties placed upon me by the Minister of Supply Act the present Timber Controller, Major A. I. Harris, was on 26th August designated by me to act in that capacity, if it proved necessary to put the control plans into operation in an emergency. I understand that for some two years previously he had in an honorary capacity given considerable assistance to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in the preparation of those plans. He is a Past President of the Timber Trade Federation. He was formally appointed as Controller by me on 3rd September. The salary authorised for the post is £1,500 per annum, but up to the present Major Harris has not accepted any remuneration. As I have already informed the House, all the Controllers whom I have appointed are required during tenure of their posts to cease from active participation in business enterprises in any way connected with the industry whose materials they are controlling.
§ Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the name of the holder of the office of timber-shipping director; when he was appointed; and whether he is the first holder of this office?
§ Mr. BurginThere is no separate office of timber-shipping director. One of the Assistant Controllers in the Timber Control deals with questions relating to the importation of timber, including shipping questions. The Assistant Controller dealing with these questions at present is Mr. E. Lindsey-Renton, who was appointed on the 25th October in place of Mr. P. B. Meyer, resigned.