108. Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a further statement on the progress being made in clearing windblow timber in Scotland with special reference to its disposal in markets beyond the normal economic radius of the affected woodlands.
§ Mr. RossAccording to the latest report of the Action Group about 13 per cent. of the softwoods and 18 per cent of the hardwoods affected had been cleared by the end of June. In the same period the allowance for transport beyond the normal economic radius had been claimed for about 5,600 tons. The Action Group's conclusions are that progress has been slower than had been expected; but the period to the end of June included two to three months when production was mainly dependent on existing resources of men and machinery in the windblow area. Since then, with the introduction of additional resources, output has increased.