§ 56. Major PRESCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of the Government taking control of the present stocks of bricks in the Kingdom and obtaining an increased production of bricks by exercising over the brick trade a control similar to that exercised over munition factories during the time of war; will he consider the desirability of releasing the present stocks of bricks and other building material, and all control over the price at which existing and future stocks shall be sold; and whether he will consult the representatives of capital and labour in the trades most immediately concerned?
§ The DEPUTY - MINISTER to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)The answer to the first part of the question is "No, Sir." I do not propose to exercise over the brick trade a control similar to that exercised over munition factories during the War. It has been decided to suspend at once the control of bricks as at present exercised. The trade is now free, but the Government has the right to re-impose control at any time. The Department of Building Material Supply is in close touch with the trade, whose members have been consulted as to the best methods of increasing the output of bricks.