§ 56. Mr. STEPHENasked the Prime Minister, in view of the imminent increase in the price of building materials, if he will take steps to convert the existing munition factory at Park-head into a national factory for the production of building materials, and so provide useful work and houses for the unemployed people in the east end of Glasgow?
§ Captain DOUGLAS KING (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply to this question. The Government do not propose to take steps with a view to the establishment of a national factory for the production of building materials.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the extraordinary suffering in the Central Division of Glasgow, and in the Camlachie Division, and in the East End districts, and is he not prepared to introduce some measures of alleviation for that suffering more than has already been done?
§ 67. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health the names of the Committee which he has decided to set up in order to watch the prices of building materials; what powers, if any, the Committee will have; and in what way the work of the Committee will prevent rings and combines from charging increased prices?
§ 71. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Health the names of the persons who are to comprise the Committee to watch the prices of building materials?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not vet in a position to announce the names of the members of the Committee. The terms of reference to the Committee will be as follow:—
To be a Committee to survey the prices of building materials and to receive and consider complaints in respect thereof, and to report from time to time to the Minister of Health and the President of the Board of Trade as to the facts, and, in particular, as to the extent to which in any case the price appears to be unduly high by reason of the operation of any trade combination, trust or agreement.
§ It will be for the Government to consider, on the Reports of the Committee, whether action is necessary, and, if so, on what lines.
§ Mr. J. JONESIn. addition to the reply to the question put the other day, will the right hon. Gentleman now give us information as to whether representatives of the trade unions and the building guilds will be appointed on this Committee?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThere will be a representative of a trade union in connection with the building trade.
§ Mr. SHORTCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the names of the Committee will be available to the House?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it the intention that this Committee shall make periodical reports to the Government, and, if so, at what intervals?