Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Agriculture what fraction to the total output of pitwood produced by the Forestry Commission do the amounts of 930.000 cu. ft. supplied to the National Coal Board in 1947, 2,700,000 cu. ft. in 1948. 2,900,000 cu. ft. in 1949, and the estimated amount of 3,000,000 to 3.250.000 in 1950, represent.
Mr. T. WilliamsThe quantities mentioned represent the full output of pit-wood prepared by the Forestry Commission. I regret that there is no means of estimating how these quantities compare with the amounts of pitwood prepared by timber merchants from poles and standing timber sold to them by the Commission.
Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give particulars of the contract under which the pitprops supplied by the Forestry Commission to the National Coal Board during 1947. 1948 and 1949, and being supplied in the current year, are sold.
Mr. T. WilliamsThere is no contract between the Forestry Commission and the National Coal Board for the supply of pitprops.