§ 18. Mr. SOMERVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade the causes of the large progressive increase in quantity and value of imports of bricks and tiles; whether he has made any inquiry into the question whether this increase is in any degree due to restriction of output and cost of transport in this country; and, if so, will he state his conclusions?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY of the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware that the imports of both articles have risen considerably in recent years, though in the case of bricks they appear still to be very small as compared with the home production, which has also shown very considerable increase. The question of the price of bricks and tiles in 1158 this country has been continuously under review by the Committee on the Prices of Building Materials, but my right hon. Friend has not received any reports which would indicate that the factors referred to by my hon. Friend have had special influence on the volume of imports.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it not a fact that many large local authorities had to resort to the importation of bricks in order to try to break the prices of the home combine?
§ Mr. RILEYHas the right hon. Gentleman any evidence of a restriction, of output, as implied in the question?
§ Sir K. WOODThat is another matter.
Commander WILLIAMSIs my hon. Friend aware that the foreign article is infinitely inferior to the British?
§ Captain PETER MACDONALDHas any application been made by this industry for a safeguarding duty?
§ Sir K. WOODThat is another matter entirely.