§ 99. Mr. J. Morrisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the supply of mining timber is derived from home sources; how the price of home-grown props compares with that of similar imported props; and what plans he has made to ensure that a fair proportion of future requirements will be obtained from home-grown material.
§ Mr. BottomleyAt present about a quarter of our supplies of mining timber comes from home sources. For details of comparative prices, I would refer the hon. Member to Statutory Rules and Orders 1947 No. 95 but, on a rough average, home-grown pitwood costs at the pits some three-fifths the price of the imported pitwood, though the two products are not always strictly comparable. We are anxious that, subject to forestry considerations. as large a part as possible of our pitwood needs should be met from home woodlands, and ways and means to this end are under consideration.