HC Deb 19 May 1947 vol 437 cc217-9W
116. Lady Grant

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to have reasonable supplies of Soviet and Canadian timber in this country, suitable for all purposes,

Mr. Belcher

Though it is too early to give a forecast of supplies for 1947 I c give some indications of the position as it has so far developed. As regards Canada, the Timber Controller during his recent visit was able to make agreements under which we should receive 394,000 standards of softwoods and 40,000 standards of sleepers from Western Canada during the 16 months March, 1947, to June, 1948. Agreements had been previously reached with producers in Eastern Canada, under which 125,000 standards of softwood should be shipped during the present calendar year. On this basis, it is reasonable to expect that total imports from Canada during the period July, 1947, to June, 1948, will be not less than 400,000 standards of sawn softwood and 34,000 standards of sleepers. As regards the United States, the Timber Controller was able to place contracts for very substantial quantities both of softwood and of sleepers; but as exports from the United States are at present subject to export licences, which are not granted far ahead, I am unable to give an estimate of shipments.

As regards the Baltic countries, agreements have been made with Finland, under which we should receive 175,000 standards of sawn softwood of regular specifications during the latter half of this year. Negotiations with Sweden are still in progress. As regards Germany, though both production and transport have been gravely hampered by severe weather and the general deterioration of economic conditions we expect that arrivals before he end of May will amount to 75,000 standards, mainly in the form of logs which will be sawn here. For the rest of the year, the various arrangements for resettlement of displaced persons must have their effect on the amount of labour available for production, but we may still hope to obtain substantial quantities of timber. As regards the U.S.S.R., my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade, dealt fully with the position in the reply he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 12th May. All these purchases are, of course, subject to the availabilities of shipping and to accidents, such as labour disputes in the producing countries of which we have had experience in the past.

It is reasonable to expect that total imports (including sleepers) in 1947 will be not less than 1100,000 standards as compared with 830,000 standards in 1946. It has been necessary, however, to deplete stocks in this country to a level so low as seriously to interfere with the efficiency of distribution at the present time, when the current shipping season has not yet opened and it is of the great importance that stocks should be restored to a safe level before the end of the shipping season. Some of the increased imports which we hope to obtain must be used for rebuilding stocks and will not, therefore, be available for immediate consumption. Total European requirements for timber still remain greatly in excess of the supply, and the reconstruction needs of our Allies are very pressing. While anxious to obtain all the timber we can for our own use, we do not want to take an unfairly large share of the total available.

117. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a shortage of timber-getting machinery in the U.S.S.R. and Finland; and what arrangements have been made by Great Britain to supply those countries with such machinery and to obtain supplies of timber from them.

Mr. Belcher

As regards Russia, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given on 12th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) about the recent trade mission to Moscow. In the case of Finland, contracts are at present being concluded for the purchase of timber and the question of timber-getting machinery has not arisen. I would also refer my hon. and learned Friend to the statement about supplies of timber to this country, which I have made today to the hon. Member for South Aberdeen (Lady Grant).