§ Mr. John Edenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the serious implications for the timber-growing and using industry of Great Britain involved in the proposals for a free trade area for the Outer Seven countries, he will call an immediate conference of the principal producers and users of British timber, with a view to drawing up a policy which will ensure that there will be an adequate market at 140W reasonably remunerative prices for the increasing output of timber from British forests for the next few decades.
§ Mr. John Edenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of his estimate that the potential thinnings production of United Kingdom forests are likely to rise from 19 million cubic feet per annum at the present time to 62 million cubic feet by 1975, he will state what steps are being taken to ensure adequate utilisation of this increased production at reasonably remunerative prices by timber-using industries in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John HareI agree that suitable outlets will be required for the increasing output of thinnings, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. and Gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport) on 18th June. At the present stage I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by calling a conference of producers and users, but I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.
§ Mr. John Edenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps will be taken to consult the Forestry Commission, private woodland owners, and the principal present and potential users of timber from British forests with regard to the steps which are to be taken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure the adequate protection of the British timber industry in the tariff negotiations which are to take place with the Outer Seven countries in September next.
§ Mr. John HareI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) on 27th July.
§ Mr. John Edenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total amount of Government money invested in the forestry industry of this country.
§ Mr. GodberBetween 1st October, 1919, and 30th September, 1958 the Forestry Commission drew from Parliamentary Votes £98,334,973. Of this total £85,436,605 was devoted to State forestry operations and the remainder, £12,898,368 to other services such as grants to private woodland owners, research and education.