asked the President of the Board of Trade what contracts exist between the United Kingdom and the Dominion of Canada for bulk purchase of timber, paper pulp, and copper; when they were entered upon; and when they expire.

We have made contracts with individual Canadian suppliers for woodpulp, hardwood, softwood and mining timber. It would be contrary to normal practice to disclose details. These contracts were made in the latter half of 1948 and expire during the current year. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that contracts for the Supply of copper have been entered into between his Department and various Canadian copper producers. Contracts were placed between June, 1948, and March, 1949, covering deliveries up to the end of this year.