Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 17th July, 1953
Starch (Decontrol)
asked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement about the decontrol of starch.
The present control of starch, starch products and glucose will end on 27th September. From that date imports on private account will be permitted under arrangements to be announced by the Board of Trade in due course. As from the same date the manufacture, distribution and sale of starch, starch products and glucose will be free of all restriction. As a precautionary measure, however, the Starch and Dextrine (Control) Order, 1943, will not be revoked immediately after 27th September.
Scotland
Water Supplies, Crofter Counties
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of grant paid in 1952, under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, towards rural water supplies in the seven crofter counties and in Ross and Cromarty, mainland, in particular.
No applications have been received, and no grants have been made.
Gale-Damaged Timber
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of the prices guaranteed to the Forestry Commission by the Railway Executive and the National Coal Board for various classes of timber from gale-damaged areas in North-East Scotland.
Neither the Railway Executive nor the National Coal Board has guaranteed prices to the Forestry Commission. The Home Timber Merchants' Association of Scotland has however negotiated prices and quantities for certain classes of timber from the Windblownarea with the National Coal Board and the Railway Executive, and any sales by the Commission of timber within these classes would be on the basis of those prices. The woodland owners and other organisations concerned have full details of the prices.