§ 109 Mr. Ellis Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade what action is to be taken to supply packing case makers with timber that is urgently required for pottery exports; and why one firm in Stoke-on-Trent has been allowed no timber, with the result that export orders are held up and at least 40 work-people suspended.
§ Mr. BelcherAll practicable steps are being taken to increase supplies of timber for packing cases and other essential purposes. I recognise the importance of continuity of supplies to manufacturers of packing cases for export, and it is the practice to allow them to hold a small stock to tide them over periods of acute shortage or enable them to fill urgent orders. I understand that the firm referred to are having difficulty in locating supplies, and I have arranged for a representative of the Board of Trade to visit them and assist as far as possible.