HC Deb 23 March 1948 vol 448 cc312-4W
85. Mr. J. Morrison

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a comparison of the prices of home-grown timber with comparable imported timber at the opening of years 1946 to 1948 and now.

Mr. Bottomley

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the comparative prices of typical specifications

COMPARISON OF PRICES OF HOME-GROWN AND COMPARABLE IMPORTED TIMBER.
The following tables give comparative maximum prices per cubic foot for typical softwood and hardwood specifications:
A. SOFTWOOD (7" battens).
— Home-grown spruce and other coniferous except larch. Finnish, other than 1st or 2nd Class. U/S red. Pacific Coast Canadian Douglas Fir and Eastern Canadian Spruce. Merchantable and U/S.
s. d. s. d. s. d.
1st January, 1946 … … 4 2½ 5 10 5 5
1st January, 1947 … …
1st January, 1948 … … 5 1½ 8 3 7 9¾
March, 1948 … …

NOTES:
(1) Home-grown prices in 1946 and 1947 were subject to additions of up to 36 per cent, seasoning allowance; and in 1948 of up to 28½ per cent. The imported prices are for timber in shipping dry condition or better.
(2) The home-grown prices are f.o.r.; and the imported, free on vehicle ex wharfinger's yard.
(3) The home-grown prices are for sawn timber from a certified port city mill. Prices for timber from town and country mills are lower.

B. HARDWOOD.
(i) Oak. Home-grown prime square edged. F.A.S. American Southern Plain White.
s. d. s. d.
1st January, 1946 … … … 10 5 10 9
1st January, 1947 … … …
1st January, 1948 … … … 12 8 16 0
March, 1948 … … …
(ii) Ash. Home-grown prime square edged. F.A.S. American Tough White.
s. d. s. d.
1st January, 1946 … … … 11 8½ 10 3
1st January, 1947 … … …
1st January, 1948 … … … 14 2½ 15 9
March, 1948 … … …
(iii) Beech. Home-grown prime square edged. F.A.S. American Southern
s. d. s. d.
1st January, 1946 … … … 8 5½ 8 6
1st January, 1947 … … …
1st January, 1948 … … … 10 3½ 12 9
March, 1948 … … …

NOTES:
(1) Prices are per cubic foot based on 1" thickness throughout.
(2) Home-grown prices in 1946 and 1947 were subject to an addition of up to 45 per cent, seasoning allowance; and in 1948 of up to 15 per cent. The imported prices are for timber in shipping dry condition or better.
(3) The home-grown prices are f.o.r.: the imported free on vehicle ex wharfinger's yard.
(4) The home-grown prices are for sawn timber from a certified port city mill. Prices for timber from town and country mills are lower.

of home-grown and comparable imported timber at the dates in question.

Following is the statement: