§ 31. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Minister of Health if he has received any report recently from the Inter-Departmental Committee to survey the prices of building materials; and, if so, whether it indicates any notable variations in prices?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARENo, Sir. My right hon. Friend understands that such a report will reach him shortly and may be expected to show some increase in the prices of timber and iron goods and some decline in the price of cement.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not a fact that, owing to the differences between this country and Russia, the price of building materials, particularly wood, is much dearer, and that as a result house building is being held up in various parts of the country?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI do not accept that statement, but in any case, the price of timber is not a very large matter in the aggregate price of house building.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIf I give the hon. Member facts, will he look into them? Greenock have held up their house building. I gave the facts to the President of the Board of Trade, and he says it is a matter for the Ministry of Health.