107. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Minister of Materials the total amount of sawn softwood held on Government account at 31st December last and at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement as to the extent by which he intends to run down this stock during the remainder of this year.
§ Sir A. SalterApart from strategic reserves, which it is not the practice to disclose, Government stocks of softwood consisted at 30th June of 51,000 standards, as against some 100,000 standards at the beginning of the year. It is the intention to continue selling this balance throughout this year.
108. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Minister of Materials if he will undertake, in pursuance of the assurance given by his predecessor, to consult the timber trade before releasing to the market strategic and emergency stock of softwood.
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§ Sir A. SalterI shall certainly continue the present practice of consulting representatives of the timber trade on the disposal of Government stocks.
§ 110. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Materials when he expects to make his further statement announcing the Government's decision with regard to the control of consumption of softwood timber.
§ Sir A. SalterI cannot now add to my reply to Questions from my hon. Friends the Members for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll), Newbury (Mr. Hurd), and Norfolk, Central (Brigadier Medlicott) on the 20th July.