asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state whether in view of the effect of the shortage of imported timber on house building, he has taken any steps to stimulate the felling of suitable native supplies, and, if so, if he will state what steps have been taken, and what control has been arranged to secure that the timber will be used to the best advantage for house building.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Felling of Native Timber.
No special steps have been taken to stimulate the felling of native timber, the control of which comes within the provisions of the Forestry Act, 1928. The information at the disposal of the Department of Supplies does not indicate that the statement in the first part of the question represents the position, namely, that there is a shortage of imported timber for house building and consequently it has not been considered necessary to institute any special form of control of native timber. The whole position is under constant review in the Department of Supplies.
If it is the Minister's view that there is at present no shortage of imported timber for house building, has there been any advertence to the fact that there may be in the future and have any steps been taken to review the amount of native timber suitable for cutting at the present time?
As I have already said, the whole timber position is kept constantly under review in the Department.
Do I understand from the Minister that part of the whole timber position is the amount of native timber in the country which is suitable for felling?
Certainly.