§ 64. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health the amount of the increase in the price of bricks for house-building since the present Government took office?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYAs the answer includes a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Viscount WOLMERWill the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he proposes to take to prevent an increase in the price of bricks?
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDIs it not the fact that even within the last month the price of bricks has risen 15 per cent., and is it not the fact that the present supply, including the stacks of bricks now burning in this country, have already been ordered; and how does the right hon. Gentleman propose to increase building construction, unless he himself secures the supply of bricks that may be anticipated, in view of the action by the ring at present controlling bricks?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe information for which I am asked this question is the amount of increase in the price of bricks for house building during a given period, and I have promised to give all the information in my possession, but as it
| District. | Description. | Price per 1,000 December, 1923. | Price per 1,000 March, 1924. | ||||
| s. | d. | s. | d. | ||||
| Willesden | … | Common Bricks (Flettons) | … | 59 | 3 | 61 | 3 |
| Facing Bricks (Picked Stocks) | … | 97 | 0 | 99 | 0 | ||
| Birmingham | … | Common | … | 55 | 0 | 55 | 0 |
| Facing | … | 110 | 0 | 110 | 0 | ||
| Bristol | … | Common | … | 60 | 0 | 62 | 6 |
| Facing | … | 65 | 0 | 67 | 6 | ||
| Leeds | … | Common | … | 45 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
| Facing | … | 55 | 0 | 60 | 0 | ||
| Leicester | … | Common (Flettons) | … | 56 | 0 | 56 | 0 |
| Common (Sileby) | … | 57 | 6 | 57 | 6 | ||
| Manchester | … | Common | … | 55 | 0 | 56 | 0 |
| Facing | … | 73 | 6 | 74 | 0 | ||
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | … | Common | … | 55 | 0 | 58 | 0 |
| Facing | … | 104 | 0 | 104 | 0 | ||
| Swansea | … | Common | … | 59 | 0 | 64 | 0 |
| Facing | … | 68 | 0 | 70 | 0 | ||
| Hampshire | … | Common | … | 80 | 0 | 80 | 0 |
| Facing | … | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
| Dundee | … | Common | … | 58 | 4 | 58 | 4 |
| Facing | … | 80 | 0 | 80 | 0 | ||
| Edinburgh | … | Common | … | 55 | 0 | 55 | 0 |
| Facing | … | 68 | 0 | 68 | 0 | ||
| Glasgow | … | Common | … | 44 | 6 | 47 | 6 |
| Facing | … | 110 | 0 | 110 | 0 |
§ will occupy some space, and, therefore, would take some time to read, I have promised to circulate it.
§ Sir K. WOODCannot the right hon. Gentleman give a direct answer in this House, seeing that, undoubtedly, there has been a very large increase in the price?
§ Mr. PENNYCannot the right hon. Gentleman give a general idea of the increase that has taken place?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYUndoubtedly, an increase has taken place, but I can assure the hon. Member that I am not responsible for it.
§ Following is the statement promised:
§ The price of bricks necessarily varies in different districts, and it is impossible to give one figure which is of general application.
§ The Committee appointed to survey the prices of building materials therefore selected 12 centres in England, Scotland and Wales which could be regarded as representative of general conditions, and their Reports for the months of December, 1923, and January, February and March of this year, which have already been published, show the following brick prices:
425§ Although the prices quoted for the same district are comparable, the prices are not comparable as between one district and another, as apart from the different quality of the brick used, some prices are "at yard," while others are "delivered on the site" or "free on rail at the nearest railway station."
§ The April Report is not yet available, but the Returns so far received show the following further changes in price:
- Manchester: common bricks, 58s.
- Swansea: common bricks, 67s. 6d.; facing, 75s.
§ During April an increase of 4s. 6d. per 1,000 has been announced in the various grades of stock bricks.