§ 26. Mr. HICKSasked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the increased activity in the erection of working-class dwellings which he expects to ensue from the passing of recent legislation, he has conferred, or will confer, with the President of the Board of Trade, with a view to having an inquiry made, by means of the existing inter-departmental committee on the supply and prices of building materials or by other appropriate means, as to the adequacy of supplies available of materials likely to be required in the near future, to the end that there may be no undue delay in 2046 any schemes which might provide employment for the building trade operatives now unemployed?
Sir H. YOUNGAt present I have no reason to suppose that such a special inquiry as is suggested would be useful. I have already arranged that the Committee on Prices of Building Materials shall keep me closely informed of any changes in the conditions in the building trade.
§ Mr. HICKSDoes the Minister agree that there is at the present time a shortage of materials for the work which has to be executed and that men are being discharged because materials are not available, and does he not think it desirable that the interests should be consulted in order to ensure that in future such material should be available for the building programme?
Sir H. YOUNGAs to the shortage I will invite the hon. Member's attention to the answer I gave in the course of the last few days of which I will send him a copy. I have called the attention of the Building Materials Committee to the matter.