§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Paymaster-General what stocks of pit wood are held at the pits in the South Western Region of the National Coal Board; and what are the stocks held at central depots.
§ Sir I. HorobinFor commercial reasons the National Coal Board does not divulge its current stocks of mining timber.
§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Paymaster-General what supplies of pit wood were bought direct from the Forestry Commission, and what was the amount bought through agents from the Forestry Commission, for the last available full year.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe National Coal Board estimates that in 1957, of its total purchases of mining timber—peeled pit-props and unpeeled pit-wood—from the Forestry Commission, about 20 per cent. were by direct purchase and about 80 per cent. through agents.