§ 40. Dr. MORRIS-JONESasked the Minister of Health whether, with regard to contracts for the building of houses by local authorities, his Department makes any stipulation as to whether British or foreign slates should be used for roofing where slates are being used?
Sir H. YOUNGSection 10 (1) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, prohibits the imposition of any express stipulation of this kind. I am, however, sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular letter which urges local authorities 547 to make use of goods and materials of home production or manufacture to the utmost extent practicable.
§ Dr. MORRIS-JONESWould my right hon. Friend be surprised to learn that a slate quarry in my constituency has recently lost an important contract for slates for roofing council houses, owing to the apparent bias of the officials of the Ministry in favour of French slates, and is he further aware that the Welsh slates are infinitely superior in quality to foreign slates?
Sir H. YOUNGThese are matters which I have appropriately dealt with in the circular to which I have referred.