§ 54. Mr. PENNYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Belgian bricks are being offered alongside wharf in the Thames at 55s. per 1,000 as compared with 85s. and 75s. for Kentish first-and second-class stock bricks in the field; whether he can say how the quality of the Belgian bricks compares with that of British-made bricks; and whether any 2245 considerable quantity of the former are being used in the construction of subsidised houses?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." In answer to the second, I understand that the bricks at present available are not regarded as equal in quality to first- and second-class stock bricks. In answer to the third, I am not aware that the bricks are being used on subsidised houses. If foreign bricks of satisfactory quality are available at lower prices than British bricks, I should expect local authorities to avail themselves of them.
§ Mr. PENNYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how he expects British manufacturers to compete with Belgian manufacturers in view of the wages and hours of the industry in this country?