asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the quantity and value of timber suitable for use in building of houses, imported during the year 1945 and in the months of January and February, 1946; and further, if he will state on what basis he has allocated, or proposes to allocate, such timber to local authorities for use in housing schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Imports.
The quantity and value of timber imported in 1945 and in the months of January and February, 1946, are as follows:—
|
Value |
|||
|
1945 |
241,970 |
c. ft. |
£62,462 |
|
January, 1946 |
224,500 |
,, |
60,150 |
|
February, 1946 |
84,300 |
,, |
29,008 |
|
550,770 |
c. ft. |
£151,620 |
All of this timber is of building quality and has been reserved primarily for work in respect of which building licences are issued under Emergency Powers (No. 358) Order, 1945.
Building licences for the various categories of building—houses, hospitals, factories, schools, etc.—are issued in proportions as near as possible to those indicated in the White Paper on the post-war building programme published in February, 1945. The allocation for housing for the year 1946 is approximately 50 per cent. of the total, 30 per cent. being for houses built by local authorities and 20 per cent. for houses built by private enterprise. Licences to authorise the building of houses will be issued up to this maximum and it may be taken that timber will be available for any work so authorised, but timber cannot be held in reserve for projects that may not materialise.