§ Mr. Cassellsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is prepared forthwith to regard Scottish housing requirements as having a priority claim on all timber supplies released for the home front; to lift the restriction on borrowing powers in order that authorities can continue building, plan ahead and develop alternative constructional methods requiring less timber; and provide State assistance for the artificial seasoning of native timber provided it be used either for house-building or for purposes which will release other timber for housing?
§ Mr. ColvilleWith regard to the first and second parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. T. Henderson) on 23rd April and the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 16th April, respectively. With regard to the suggestion made in the last part of the Question, I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that even when imports are supplemented by1242W the maximum possible production of native timber it will still be necessary to restrict the utilisation of timber to essential war requirements. The last part of the Question, therefore, does not at present arise.