§ 41. Major W. MURRAYasked the Minister of Health whether he is taking any steps to enable local authorities to build houses of stone rather than of brick in cases where stone is abundantly produced in the neighbourhood and questions of amenity are involved; whether he is aware that the price of stone at the quarry mouth is in some cases four or five times as great as the pre-war price; whether this rise is justified by increased cost of production; and whether he will initiate negotiations with quarry-owners So that stone may be procured at a reasonable cost by the local authorities concerned?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe use of local materials in connection with housing schemes is encouraged; but in some cases where stone has been specified for walling the estimates for the houses have been higher than would have been the case if brick had been specified. I am aware that the present cost of stone is considerably higher than the pre-war cost, and I am arranging for this point to be further investigated.