HC Deb 02 December 1946 vol 431 cc12-3W
91. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that, where W.B.A. priority licences have been granted involving the use of timber, his Department in Edinburgh is refusing a licence to purchase the timber, although local timber supplies could readily provide it; and if he will give instructions that timber is to be released against W.B.A priority licences, where it is available.

Mr. Tomlinson

There is an acute scarcity of timber owing to the difficulty of securing sufficient imports. The allocation of timber made to my Department permits at present of the issue of licences only for exceptionally urgent work, such as the completion of houses at an advanced stage of construction. Stocks of timber wherever held have to be husbanded with a view to urgent requirements in the coming months

93. Mr. Ward

asked the Minister of Works when his Birmingham office will authorise the supply of two standards of timber to Mr. J. Hayden, 281, Bath Road, Worcester, required for a priority building contract licensed by the Pershore Rural District Council, licence number 9/115/438, dated, 29th August, 1946.

Mr. Tomlinson

An application for timber was made on 21st October and authority is being given for the supply of half a standard at this stage. In view of the acute scarcity of timber the greatest care has to be taken over its authorisation.

Brigadier Mackeson

asked the Minister of Works why authority to issue licences for structural timber for housing construction in the borough of Folkestone has been refused on the orders of his Department, except for those houses, about 12 in number, which may be completed by the end of this year; and if he will take steps to ensure that costs-of-works building on other sites where re-erection is proceeding is not stopped, and, unless such steps are taken, the local authority will be obliged to throw men in the building trade out of work or to license the use of structural timber for non-essential work.

Mr. Tomlinson

The allocation of timber made to my Department only permits at present of the issue of licences for exceptionally urgent work such as the completion of houses at an advanced stage of construction. Licences for other important work will be given as soon as the timber is available.