asked the President of the Board of Trade why timber grown in Malaya is taken to Singapore to be cut up in Chinese sawmills, and then exported to London via Rotterdam, c/o the Rotterdam Trading Company; and if he will take steps to enable this country to obtain timber from the Chinese sawmills and export direct to London through the normal channels.

Timber grown in Malaya is imported into this country by private traders, who are free to arrange the methods and channels of import. We do not propose at present to interfere with these operations.

Does my right hon. Friend not think that this country would be advantaged financially by being able to import direct from Malaya to the British Isles?

I have no doubt that quite a lot is imported direct from Malaya in any event.