93. Mr. Vaneasked the President of the Board of Trade the present functions of the Home Timber Production Department; what are the present numbers employed; and what further early reductions he is considering.
§ Mr. MarquandThe Home Timber Production Department is at present responsible for the production of mining timber by direct labour and assisting the timber trade to obtain equipment. The present numbers employed are 698 non-industrial and 8,154 industrial workers, of whom 2,981 are prisoners-of-war. These figures represent reductions of 343 and 3,524 respectively, over the last six months. Further reductions will be made as supply considerations permit.