§ 71. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Health if, in connection with the erection of metal houses, due con- 622 sideration has been given to the use of iron as compared with steel; is he aware that if the ⅛-inch sheets which are being used were made of iron they would last three or four times longer than steel; that the additional cost of using such iron sheets would not be more than about 1 per cent.; and that the life of a house built of such sheets would be much extended and the cost of maintenance considerably reduced?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think that my hon. Friend may take it that the makers of steel houses have considered very carefully the relative merits of steel and wrought iron sheets for their purpose; if a practical proposal for the use of wrought iron were submitted, it would be carefully considered by the Committee on New Methods of Construction.