§ 96 and 97. Major Beamishasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will give details of the recent agreement 250W with the Soviet Government whereby the latter plans to provide 153,000 standards of timber with a possibility of supplying larger quantities; and state the prices to be paid for the different qualities, and approximate delivery dates;
(2) what quantity of sawn softwood it was hoped to obtain from Sweden this year; for what quantity contracts have so far been placed; and what is the maximum quantity for which contracts are likely to be placed this year.
Mr. H. WilsonWith regard to supplies of timber from Russia, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on 22nd June to similar questions by the hon. Members for Wallasey (Mr. Marples), Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Philips Price), Richmond (Sir G. Harvie-Watt) and Wembley, North (Wing-Commander Bullus). As regards Sweden, the trade agreement last December mentioned 250,000 standards, subject to agreement on price and specification. It is not the practice to state the current contract position or to anticipate contracts.
§ 99. Mr. Rentonasked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of timber has been imported from Austria in each of the past three years; and what quantity it is proposed to import during 1950.
Mr. H. WilsonImports of timber from Austria were 1,542 standards of softwood in 1947; one standard of softwood in 1948; 2,174 cwt. of veneers in 1949; and 1,409 standards of softwood and 905 cwt. of veneers in the first four months of 1950. It is not the practice to forecast future imports from any source.