78. Mr. Watkinsasked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether his attention has been drawn to 10W an advertisement for the sale of American scantlings in the trade journal, a copy of which has been sent him; and if he will prevent dollars being spent to import American oak wagon scantlings when the home-grown timber merchants are unable to dispose of their own stocks.
§ Mr. MackesonAmerican oak was imported by private traders in 1951, when sufficient hardwood for wagon repairing was not available from sterling sources. I am not in a position to say whether the American scantlings referred to in the advertisement sent me by the hon. Member are a residue of those imports, some of which were found unsuitable for their original purpose.
So far as the future is concerned, the Railway Executive aim at meeting their requirements from Australian Jarrah, together with home-grown oak. The possibility of using Colonial hardwoods is also being investigated. Imports of oak scantlings which cost dollars have been, and will continue to be, strictly controlled.