§ 85 and 86. Mr. Haireasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware of the shortage of plywood and hessian in the furniture industry; and what steps he is taking to improve the situation;
(2) when he hopes to be in a position to increase the supply of timber for the furniture industry.
§ Mr. H. WilsonTimber used for furniture is, in common with that for other industries, allocated in the light of available supplies as compared with the needs of all industries. A quantity of hardwood "dimension stock," which is cut to size for furniture has, however, just been released to the industry over324W and above their hardwood allocation for the current period. On hessian, I have recently represented to the Government of India and Pakistan our urgent need for increased supplies of jute and jute goods and we have now received increased allocations. The supply position does not yet, however, allow for any increase in allocations of hessian for furniture.