§ 72. Major W. MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that in certain Scottish burghs the local authorities are being required by the Scottish Board of Health to build houses of brick, although there are large stone quarries from two to four miles distant from these towns; whether he is aware that a large increase in the price of stone at the quarry mouth is the main cause of the action of the Scottish Board of Health; and whether, in the interests of local employment and in view of the considerations of amenity involved, he will take steps to remedy this anomalous state of matters and cause negotiations for the reduction of the prices complained of to be opened with the quarry-masters concerned?
§ Mr. MUNROI am aware that in one or two instances the Scottish Board of Health have decided that the execution of local housing schemes in stone could not be justified in view of the extra expenditure involved as compared with construction in other materials. Where the cost of building in stone is reasonable in relation to the cost of brick construction local authorities are given a free 714 choice. So far as the question relates to the price of stone as a building material I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for South Poplar on that subject.