85. Mr. T. WILSONasked the Minister of Munitions what steps have been taken in the direction of ordering supplies of materials, such as doors, windows, locks, bricks, etc., in connection with the housing scheme; by whom have the orders been given; who are carrying out the orders; and whether joinery work is being prepared by unskilled labour in establishments under Government control?
§ The DEPUTY MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)Orders have been placed for 350,000,000 bricks with makers in all parts of England and Scotland, and orders up to a total of 2,000,000,000 will be placed as soon as possible. One order has been placed for joinery with the Pegasus Aircraft Company, Limited, Tooting, and one for locks with Messrs. J. Gibbons and Company, of Wolver Hampton. The order 929 for bricks were placed by the Department of Building Material Supplies, and for the other materials by the Explosives Department of the Ministry of Munitions before the first-named Department was formed. No joinery work is being prepared by unskilled labour in establishments under Government control.
Colonel THORNECan the hon. Gentleman state the price paid per thousand bricks, and how it compares with the price paid before the War?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYPrices vary from one district to another, but I shall be glad to obtain the information.