§ 15. Mr. BRIANTasked the President of the Board of Trade when the remaining Reports of the Committees which are inquiring into the question of building materials may be expected?
§ Sir R. HORNEI understand that the Sectional Committees investigating 1493 Cement and Mortar and Light Castings have concluded the taking of evidence, and I hope to receive their reports at an early date. The Stone, Bricks and Clay-ware Sectional Committee are still taking evidence, and I am unable to say when their remaining reports will be received. Every effort compatible with the necessity of obtaining full and accurate information is being made to hasten these inquiries.
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that municipal building has been going on now for 18 months and that the cost of it has nearly doubled by the combines that have been set up to exploit the Government in these building materials, and is there any hope of a Report being received in sufficient time for the Government to act before the municipal enterprises have gone bankrupt?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am afraid I should require a detailed question from my hon. Friend before I could answer that. All I can say is this—by way of reassuring him—that the Report of the first Committee, dealing with the primary needs, was to the effect that there was no profiteering in them. The Committee that is now sitting is considering the more subsidiary materials.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain how it is that cement has gone up from 38s. 6d. a ton to £5 8s. 6d. a ton?
§ Commander Viscount CURZONMay I ask whether it is not a fact that in certain cases manufacturers are sending cement that is badly needed here abroad, because they can get a better price for it, and does not that account for the rise in price here?
§ Sir R. HORNEThere is a certain amount of cement going abroad at the present time at a higher price than is obtained here. I know my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that in not charging the full market world price to the homo consumer a cetain sacrifice is being made. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"] Well, it is perfectly plain that where the producer is not exacting the full world price of a commodity, he is to that extent relieving the person who consumes at home, and while prices are high, 1494 it must be remembered that costs are infinitely higher to-day than they were before the War.
§ Mr. BILLINGCan the right hon Gentleman tell mo one case where a British cement firm has refused to export up to the total amount of the export business offered, and is it not a fact that we only get the residue of what they cannot export, and that for that we have to pay £5 8s. 6d. a ton?
Colonel C. LOWTHERCan the right hon. Gentleman give some explanation of the titanic rise in cement?
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNWhen the right hon. Gentleman stated that there was no profiteering in connection with cement—
§ Sir R. HORNEI did not state that.
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNI understood the right hon. Gentleman to say so, but was he referring to the men who made cement prior to the War at a price of 21s. and a profit, or to those who were making it prior to the War at a cost of over 35s. and no profit?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am afraid the supplementary questions which are now being put only exhibit the fact that one had better ask for notice. I always try to answer a question as fully as I can, but obviously I was misunderstood. I did not state that there had been no profiteering in cement. What I said was that the first Report of the Committee dealing with building materials was to the effect that there was not any profiteering, but that was dealing with bricks. The Committee dealing with cement is still sitting, and has not yet reported, and my hon. Friend is erroneous in assuming that I suggested there was no profiteering in regard to cement. As to that, I do not know; I await the Report of the Committee.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman lay down what is profiteering?
§ Mr. KILEYAs the Committee have been sitting for something like ten months, cannot something be done to expedite their Report?
§ Sir R. HORNEI endeavour to expedite these Reports to the fullest extent in my power, but again I beg hon. Members to remember that the people 1495 who are giving these services to the State are giving them gratuitously and in the intervals of their own business. Obviously, no Report is worth while unless it is given by men who know enough of the business to make their Reports such as can be received with confidence, and you must not push these people too hard. I will do my best to get the Report as quickly as possible, and I hope the House will have some patience in the matter.