We know that, taking the top possible limit, the life of softwood is 75 years and of hardwood up to 150 years.
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.
A softwood forest takes up to 75 years to mature and a hardwood forest up to 150 years.
This increased consumption is due largely to the substitution of hardwood for scarce softwood to the greatest possible extent.
We are pursuing the matter of softwoods in hard currency areas.
Imports of pit-props, as of softwood generally, are allowed under open individual licences.
Is the builder to be allowed to use what amount of softwood he likes?
The quality of the wood varies, hardwoods such as ash, oak and beech, making better fuel than softwoods such as larch and fir.
