Captain FABERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that at the brick-making centre at Fletton the price of bricks has fallen from 23s. 10½d. in 1898 to 10s. 6d. in 1909, or 1s. 6d. below cost price; and whether he will, therefore, take steps to exempt common brick-clay from the Mineral Duty?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)My right hon. Friend is not able to say whether the figures quoted by the hon. and gallant Member are correct. He is not prepared to introduce a special exemption for brick-clay.
Captain FABERMay I ask whether there is any direct legal authority that brick-clay should not be treated as mineral?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI could not say.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of bricks has steadily fallen for three years?