§ 81. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether he is aware that continued foreign imports of pit-props to the detriment of British forestry, notwithstanding the large stocks of mining timber, are causing anxiety in the homegrown timber trade; and if he will consider reducing these foreign imports.
§ Mr. H. StraussI have been asked to reply. Substantial imports of pit-props are always necessary because home production can only meet a small part of the annual consumption of the mines. The programme of imports which has been agreed with the National Coal Board should not, however, cause difficulties for the home producers since it takes full account of the desirability of using as many home-grown pit-props as possible. I am sure it would be unwise to force a reduction in the Coal Board's stocks which have only recently reached a level at which there is no longer any danger of coal production being threatened by a shortage of pit-props.