§ Mr. Mortasked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the shortage of timber in the Swansea area for building purposes, the effect of which is to increase the number of unemployed; and what steps are being taken to remedy this?
§ Mr. BurginAs I have previously explained to the House, there is an acute shortage (not of course confined to the area to which the hon. Member refers) of timber suitable for building purposes. In order to utilise the supplies available in the best possible manner their utilisation, even for essential war requirements, is strictly controlled in accordance with allocations made by the Priority Committee. To give effect to these allocations, the Government Departments primarily concerned with different types of building have accepted responsibility for considering cases affecting them, and licences to acquire or use timber for such purposes are issued by the Timber Controller on their advice. All possible steps are being taken to increase the supplies of timber, and also to ensure the use of brick, concrete and other alternative materials so far as possible.