§ 19. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an approximate date as to when the Pro- 13 fiteering Committee's Report on Building Materials will be completed; and, if the complete Report is not likely to be ready during the present year, is he prepared to consider the desirability of appointing further sub-committees in view of the urgent necessity of some immediate action being taken to ensure an adequate supply of building commodities at reasonable prices?
§ Sir R. HORNEAs I informed the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire on the 20th October, Reports on Timber and Bricks have been published and presented to Parliament, and the Sectional Committee investigating Cement and Mortar hope to make their report shortly. While I am unable to give any approximate date when the Committees investigating Light Castings, Stone and Clay Ware will be in a position to report, I am satisfied, in view of the stage these investigations have reached, that the issue of these Reports would not be expedited by the appointment of other sub-committees.
§ Mr. KILEYCould not the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that, at all events during the current year, these committees will issue their reports; this committee has been sitting for something like nine months?
§ Sir R. HORNEMy hon. Friend will recollect that two important reports have already been made. In regard to the others, they are working hard upon them. He will also, I hope, bear in mind that these committees are composed of people who voluntarily give their services to the State in this matter, and while I can urge them to give their reports within a near period, I can do nothing to compel them.
§ Mr. KILEYIf these gentlemen cannot see their way to issue their report in the current year, could not some assistance be given them, in view of the urgency of the problem they are considering?
§ Sir R. HORNEIt will never expedite matters by setting up entirely new committees for them to begin de novo.