107. Mr. Patonasked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate amount of timber which is now being purchased by consumers without licence under the £1 lots provision of the Timber Control Orders; and whether, in view of the shortage of timber supplies and the possible effect on the housing programme, he will consider modifying this concession.
§ Sir S. CrippsYes, Sir. While precise figures are not available, it is estimated that such purchases have recently been at the rate of some 20,000 standards a year. The provision referred to was designed to enable consumers to obtain small quantities of timber for repairs or other essential work without having to apply for a licence, but there is reason to believe that substantial quantities of timber, mainly imported softwood, are now being obtained in this manner for purposes for which they would not be licensed. In view of the serious shortage, an Order will be issued which will restrict the quantity of timber released for sales in £1 lots and confine such sales to home grown and salvaged timber. Besides limiting the number of such releases. 293W this will preserve the higher quality imported timber for more important uses without entirely depriving the public of the opportunity to obtain without licence small quantities of timber for urgent repairs. It will also stimulate the recovery of timber from secondhand sources.