§ 60. Brigadier-General BROOKEasked the Minister of Health the cost of manufacturing chalk bricks and ordinary bricks: whether the former can be manufactured at any chalk quarry by unskilled labour; whether any experiments have been carried out in this country in connection with the use of the former material for building houses; and, if so, with what result?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe kinds of bricks and the costs of manufacture vary too much for any general comparison to be made between the cost of manufacturing chalk and ordinary bricks. I am aware that experiments have been made in the manufacture and use of various kinds of chalk and lime bricks, with varying results, and T shall be happy to give my hon. and gallant Friend full information if he will arrange to call at my Department. An answer to the several points raised would be too lengthy to be given conveniently within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHIs it not the fact that 50 per cent. of the bricks used at present in this country are imported?