§ 81. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the Report of the Committee on building prices with reference to the recent increase of prices by the National Light Castings Association; and whether the Report will be made public?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not yet in a position to say when the Report in question will be ready, but I hope soon. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. MORRISONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that it is six weeks since, in this House, he promised at once to refer this matter to a Departmental Committee to make inquiries? Has the Departmental Committee met yet?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINWhat the hon. Member says is true, but he must be aware that I asked Sir William Ackworth to act as Chairman of the Committee. When I found that Sir William was unable to take the chairmanship, I had to find a new chairman. That accounts for the delay. The Committee has not met but it is meeting to-morrow morning.
§ Mr. MORRISONIs this not the second occasion upon which increases by the National Light Castings Association have been brought before this House and promises made that they would be referred to the consideration of Committees, and the matter has been allowed to drift? Does he not realise how unsatisfactory that is?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo one regrets more than I do, but I think the explanation which I have given shows that it is no fault of mine.