§ 4. Captain FAIRFAXasked the President of the Board of Trade whether anything is being done, or will be done, to promote the wider use of British bricks, tiles, and cement, in view of the increasing imports of foreign building material?
6. Mr. ERSKINEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the increase in the importation of foreign bricks, tiles, slate and cement; and, in view of the fact that these imports doubled in 1925, whether he proposes taking any steps to arrest this progress in the interests of the British unemployed?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI will answer these questions together. The demand for the materials specified has recently been heavy, and I am aware that the volume of imports has been increasing. The Minister of Health and the President of the Board of Trade have impressed upon local authorities and upon the public generally the importance of using British materials to the fullest possible extent, and in the present case I do not feel able to recommend any further action.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it the fact that the whole of the output of bricks in this country is being consumed, or are there large stocks on hand?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI am not able to state that, but the consumption is very great. I should say that the whole or most of the stocks are consumed, but I cannot speak for certain.
Mr. ERSKINEDo I take the answer to mean that the Government wish to discourage the importation of foreign bricks and tiles and slates?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKNo, Sir.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not a fact that the British brick and tile manufacturers have a complete combine, and that the only way to bring down prices is to allow foreign bricks and tiles to be imported?