§ 94. Wing-Commander Hulbertasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that for the period July, August and September there was a cut of 10 per cent. on the previous allocation of timber to the furniture industry and that a further 25 per cent. cut is now contemplated; and if he will state the amount of unemployment which this further reduction of the supply in raw material will cause to the industry.
§ Mr. BelcherI am aware that the allocation of hardwood to the furniture industry 71W in the current quarter is 25 per cent, less than the allocation for the second quarter of this year, and that this is likely to lead, though not immediately, to some unemployment. I am afraid, however, that it is not possible to make any direct comparison between the quantities of materials issued and the labour required to manufacture furniture from these materials.