HC Deb 23 November 1939 vol 353 cc1421-2W
Mr. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is no representation of large users of timber in the timber control section of his Department; and will he make arrangements for adequate representation of these interests?

Colonel Llewellin

The Timber Control Department is assisted by an Advisory Committee, which includes representation of the coal-mining industry. This committee have agreed to consult with representatives of other timber-using industries and to co-opt such representatives as and when necessary.

Mr. Foot

asked the Minister of Supply whether the fixed prices for the landed stock of timber set out in the Control of Timber Order No. 1, dated 1st September, 1939, will be applied to the national stock which is being created, and, in view of rising costs, how will the loss be borne?

Mr. Burgin

The maximum prices scheduled in the Control of Timber (No. 1) Order, 1939, represent prices for sales from existing stocks. They will, of course, require to be revised in due course in the light of the cost of the further supplies now being imported for the national stock.

Mr. Foot

asked the Minister of Supply what are the names and the firms of the Timber Controller, of his committee, and of any other assistants he may have drawn from the timber trade; and what remuneration do they individually receive?

Mr. Burgin

As regards the Timber Controller and the staff of the Control, I would refer the hon. Member to the information which, pursuant to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sal-ford, North (Mr. J. Morris) on 19th October, was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 16th November. With regard to the committee advising the Control, I have had prepared a list of the gentlemen serving at a recent date and the names of their firms; they do not receive salary from public funds. As the list is somewhat lengthy, I am proposing in the interest of economy of printing not to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but to place a copy of it in the Library of the House.