HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 cc835-7W
Sir C. Rawson

asked the Minister of Supply what remuneration is being paid to the Government buyer of timber for service purposes?

Mr. Burgin

There is no separate post of Government buyer of timber for service purposes. Responsibility for the purchase of timber is vested, with other functions, in the Controller of Timber, and two Deputy Controllers deal with imported timber and home-grown timber respectively. The salaries authorised for the posts of Timber Controller and Deputy Controller for imported timber are £1,500 and £1,200 respectively, but the present holders are serving without remuneration. The Deputy Controller for homegrown timber is the chairman of the Forestry Commission, who is a civil servant in receipt of his pre-war salary.

Mr. Parker

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Dagenham Council's contractors have returned orders for timber for air-raid precautions work as no supplies are available; that when tenders were invited the only offer received was at prices ranging 20 per cent. to 40 per cent. over contract prices; and what steps are being taken to distribute available supplies at reasonable prices?

Mr. Burgin

I am not aware of the circumstances of the case referred to in the question, but steps have been taken to distribute available supplies of timber at reasonable prices by the establishment of a licensing system and by fixing maximum prices.

Mr. J. Morris

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will publish the names of the staff, other than juniors, of the timber central department with their salaries and former occupations?

Mr. Burgin,

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th October. 1939, col. 1052) supplied the following information:

The salaries authorised for the various senior posts of the Timber Control (except Department II) are:

Headquarters Staff.—Controller £1,500, Deputy Controllers £1,200, Assistant Controllers £1,000, Chief Assistants £800, Assistants £700, Senior Technical Officers £400—£600.

Area Staff.—Area Officer £800—£950, Assistant Area Officer £500—£700, Area Secretaries £400—£700, Area Departmental Officers £450—£650, Senior Technical Officers £400—£600, District Pitwood Officers £650—£750, Assistant District Pitwood Officers £450—£650.

I have had prepared a list giving the occupants of these posts as on the 8th November, 1939, and their former occupations; some have not accepted any remuneration. There are 180 names in the list. In the interest of economy of printing I am proposing not to circulate the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but to place a copy of it in the Library of the House. The staff of Department II, which deals with home-grown supplies, are mainly civil servants of the Forestry Commission in receipt of their normal salaries. The Deputy Controller thereof is the Chairman of the Forestry Commission.

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