THE EARL OF MANSFIELDasked Her Majesty's Government if they are now in a position to make a further statement in regard to storm damage to timber in Scotland; what steps they are taking to avoid a slump in timber prices; and if they will press the English Division of the National Coal Board, to adopt a somewhat more sympathetic attitude towards purchasing, at fair prices, a larger amount of the fallen timber, of the sizes suitable for mining purposes.
THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (THE EARL OF HOME)It is now estimated that the total quantity of timber blown down is 35–40 million cubic feet, which is rather higher than the figure previously quoted. Arrangements for working about two-thirds of the timber have now been made between the owners and timber merchants, subject, in most cases, to the prices being settled later. A satisfactory agreement has now been reached with the Railway Executive for the purchase of softwood sleepers and wagon timber which should absorb about half of the sawn softwood resulting from the windblow.
To facilitate the disposal of the remaining softwood, which is small in quantity compared with annual consumption, my right honourable friend the Minister of Materials, is arranging for Departments who issue licences for the consumption of softwood to endorse 671WA the licences, where practicable, as available for home grown timber only. Endorsed licences of this kind will be issued to consumers in Scotland and in Northern England. The Minister of Materials is also arranging that Departments who receive softwood allocations will be able to issue licences for home grown softwood against their allocations for the second half-year, some weeks earlier than would normally be the practice.
It is hoped that licensed softwood consumers in Scotland and Northern England will co-operate by making the fullest use of this home grown timber against any licences already issued to them, and by readily accepting licences valid only for home grown softwoods for some purposes for which they would ordinarily have used imported timber.
As regards pit wood, it is hoped that an agreement with the National Coal Board will be concluded at an early date. The prices show reductions which reflect the trend of timber prices generally and are not the result of the windblow.
The sawmilling capacity in the area affected, even after allowance is made for the transfer of mills to the area, would be inadequate to deal with the timber in time to prevent serious deterioration, or the building up of a population of bark bettles which would be a threat to other crops of growing timber. It will therefore be necessary to transport timber in the log for conversion at mills elsewhere in Scotland, and this movement will involve heavy additional costs. The Government have therefore decided to assist in meeting the additional costs which arise in these quite exceptional circumstances, and are prepared, until December 31st, 1954, to pay two-thirds of the rail freight involved in transporting windblown round logs to mills outside the area, up to a maximum rail freight of 50s. per ton. Details of the operation of this scheme will shortly be announced by the Forestry Commission.
Special problems have arisen in connection with the pitwood. Some of it will have to be transported outside the area for conversion, and certain categories of production will be in excess of requirements in the Scottish coalfield which is the normal market for pitwood from this area. This material will therefore have 672WA to be absorbed in the English and possibly the Welsh coalfields. In these very special circumstances the Government will assist in meeting the additional costs involved. The effect will be that sellers will get as nearly as possible the same return as if the pitwood had been dispatched in the ordinary way to the Scottish coalfields.
It is hoped that these arrangements will now enable satisfactory price agreements to be concluded between owners and merchants for the windblown timber.
THE EARL OF MANSFIELDasked Her Majesty's Government if they have considered the possibility of stock-piling a large amount of the timber recently blown down in Scotland, also if they are satisfied that sufficient manpower is available to clear the devastated areas within a reasonable period, bearing in mind that the extensive use of farm workers, or the ordinary unemployed, for such skilled work is to be deprecated, owing to the risk of severe injury.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy right honourable friend the Minister of Materials has considered the possibility of stockpiling, but it is believed that the ordinary markets are capable of absorbing the output from the blown timber; and while any timber bought for strategic reserve must be thoroughly suitable both in specification and keeping qualities, it is not desired to take for the reserve specifications which can be readily sold for other purposes.
I am satisfied that sufficient manpower is available to clear the devastated areas within a reasonable period. There are already about 300 additional men at work and it should be possible to obtain the additional labour required, estimated at about 1,000 men, without widespread transfer of labour from other parts of the country. In reaching this conclusion, I have had in mind that although certain operations are dangerous and require skill to avoid risk of injury, it is possible to employ a considerable proportion of men who are not highly skilled in timber operations.
House adjourned at nine minutes before four o'clock to Tuesday, 14th April, 1953.