asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in view of the fact that purchases of timber supplies are now in the hands of private traders, what control or check is now kept on imports of timber and other materials required for house building.

Every softwood importer makes a monthly return of the contracts he has placed with overseas suppliers and the timber he has imported during the month. Information is thus obtained well in advance about the supplies which will be coming into the country. Appropriate distribution of imports between housing and other uses is secured by the licensing of consumption.I understand that broadly similar arrangements apply to other scarce imported materials required for housing.