HC Deb 07 December 1948 vol 459 cc247-9
12. Colonel Gomme-Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken or is taking to implement the recommendations of the Laidlaw Committee in regard to increasing the supplies of building materials for Scotland.

15. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee on Scottish Building Costs.

Mr. Woodburn

Action has already been taken to implement the Committee's first recommendation that in present circumstances some restriction of new commitments is necessary, and I am glad to say that since the Committee reported there has been a general improvement in the supply of materials. As regards the other recommendations, I have brought them to the attention of the local authorities and other appropriate bodies.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is a sufficient increase in the flow of materials, and that the flow is regular and not irregular at the moment, which, of course, makes the costs much higher? Is he satisfied with the progress made?

Mr. Woodburn

Yes, Sir, there has been a great improvement in that, and I am hoping it will bring down costs.

Mr. Marples

Is the Minister of the opinion that materials are the limiting factor in building houses? If not, will he say what is the limiting factor?

Mr. Woodburn

Probably the hon. Member was not present on the last two Tuesdays when an exhaustive answer was given to that question. One of the principal difficulties is the supply of certain types of labour, such as joiners and plasterers.

Major Lloyd

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is answering Question No. 15 as well, will he say what he is doing about the suggestion from the Girdwood Committee that productivity of labour in the building industry in Scotland has fallen to less than 31 per cent.? Is he doing anything to increase it?

Mr. Woodburn

The hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) has just answered that question for the hon. and gallant Gentleman by pointing out that it arises from the irregularity of the flow of materials. When that improves, the costs are likely to come down.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

If the supply of materials has improved, can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication of the extent that improvement may be reflected in the completion—both in the rapidity and the number of houses completed—in the next few months?

Mr. Woodburn

That depends on the building trade, but I hope there will be an improvement.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Further to that, the Minister has told us more than once that there is no shortage of materials, and that that was not the limiting factor. Does he not know that many of us have continually had cases brought to our notice in which the shortage of materials is, indeed, the governing factor; and will he do his best to see that these shortages of materials are removed so that materials can arrive continuously at the sites?

Mr. Woodburn

I have already pointed out that the position in regard to that has already been improved. It is sometimes not the shortage of material, but the fact that it was spread over too many houses, and not concentrated on finishing the houses which were ready.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Is the Minister seriously asking us to accept the suggestion that in Scotland they were building too many houses?

Mr. Woodburn

The point was that they started to build too many houses instead of completing those which were ready for completion.

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