asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state whether he is aware that there is an enormous amount of waste timber in the country which can be used for nothing but firewood; that its cutting would employ five or six thousand men for a substantial part of the spring and summer; that it would therefore be a very considerable addition to our fuel supplies; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure the cutting and distribution of this timber.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waste Timber.
I am aware that there are available in this country considerable quantities of timber which are suitable only for use as firewood. The question of having this timber cut for the purpose of giving employment and of securing a reserve stock of fuel has been under consideration. Any comprehensive scheme for the use of native timber for fuel must take account of the fact that the great bulk of the timber is in private ownership. Applications received for felling licences indicate that private owners are felling timber for firewood purposes to a much greater extent than in normal times.
The Forestry Branch of the Ministry for Lands, which systematically disposes of firewood timber as part of its normal work, is, this year, giving special attention to this aspect of it. A decision on the measures which it is practicable to take in connection with this matter is being expedited.