HC Deb 12 August 1947 vol 441 cc246-7W
Mr. Byers

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will specify the types and quantities of wood suitable for boat building which have been imported into this country in the last 12 months, or other convenient period; and if he will state what are the major purposes for which this wood has been allocated.

Mr. Belcher

The following woods suitable for boat building have been imported into this country in the last 12 months:

Species. Quantity.
Thousand Standards.
British Columbian Pine 229
Quebec Pine 10
Western and White Spruce 104
Swedish White and Redwood 169
Pitchpine 1
Thousand Cubic Feet.
Mahogany 2,195
Obechi 892
Danta 16
Teak 282
Iroko 173
Peroba de Campo 21

Normally the better grades of these woods are used for boat building but, disregarding waste in conversion, almost any grade could be utilised. The major purposes for which the woods have been used, apart from ship-building, are building, furniture, aircraft and vehicle construction, and in the mining industry. Remaining stocks of Silver Spruce (500 Standards) and Rock Elm (70,000 cubic feet) imported during the war for aircraft and naval boats are now being used for agricultural machinery components, baking equipment, vehicle construction, and a number of miscellaneous essential purposes.