asked the Minister of Supply whether he will explain the policy of his Ministry in the disposal of the different classes of timber accumulated at the various timber dumps in south-west Lancashire established for the purpose of breaking up the large packing cases coming in from the U.S.A.; and whether any of this timber is suitable for the repair of property or in the building of houses.

The re-usable timber recovered from the imported packing cases to which my hon. Friend refers is released against licence for those essential purposes for which it is most suited. The bulk of it is used again for the manufacture of packing cases. A certain amount is used for factory maintenance, but it is not suitable for ordinary building purposes.

Is this timber available to the general public or business people in the area?

Yes, Sir, it is.