§ 53. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make to the House as to new proposals relating to house building; when the conference of employers, employés, and producers of raw materials is to be called by him; and if he can state the purpose of the conference and the financial expenditure that is involved?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe housing policy of the Government is contained in the Acts of 1924 and of last year. The Building Industry Committee and the Inter-Departmental Committee on the 1442 Prices of Building Materials, formed in October, 1924, and in April, 1923, respectively, are still available for consultation, but while it has not yet become necessary for me to confer formally with either of these committees in connection with the operation of the 1930 Act, a close watch is being kept upon prices and other factors in house building.
§ Sir K. WOODWill the Minister of Health see that the Liberal spokesman of yesterday is invited to attend this committee, and present his programme in order that he may explain how houses are built without any cost to the State?
§ Mr. HARRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very high price of bricks in London at the present time, and that a ring has been formed to keep up the price?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware that building prices generally have fallen, but I am not satisfied that they have reached the lowest possible point.
§ Sir K. WOODWhen are we going to have the Profiteering Bill which was promised, two years ago?
§ Mr. HARRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of bricks went up last year?