§ 63. Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the shortage of houses in the areas affected, it is the intention of the Government to enable the county councils and local authorities in Scotland to reconsider their decision to stop house building by means of increased subsidy or effective control of the rising prices of building materials?
Mr. WedderburnI am not in a position to add anything to the very full statement made by my right hon. Friend on this subject during the Debate on 24th June.
§ 64. Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the ramp arising in the building trade; that the price of bricks has risen 25 per cent. recently, cement 10 per cent., soft woods 85 per cent., light iron castings 50 per cent., lead water-pipes 100 per cent., copper 50 per cent., and fireclay goods 35 per cent., owing to the growth of monopolies and combines; and what steps does he propose to take without delay in order that houses may be provided in Dumbarton and Clydebank?
Mr. WedderburnI am aware that the price of the building materials referred to has increased although generally not to the extent indicated by the hon. Member. I am informed that with the exception of bricks there have been no increases in recent months and certain materials show a tendency to fall in price. With regard to the position in Dumbarton and Clydebank, I would refer the hon. Member to the detailed statement made by my right hon. Friend during the Debate on 24th June on the measures that are being taken to deal with our present difficulties.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs the Under-Secretary aware of the part played by the Secretary of State for Scotland in the first National Government when they stopped house building in Clydebank, the reason then given being that there was no work? Now we have industry booming and we do not know what to do with the men and women who are being brought into Dumbarton and Clydebank, and seeing that the Government were responsible for the stoppage under those conditions, will they, now that the conditions have changed, use their influence to assist us in getting, not only the labour, but the materials necessary in order to build houses for the workers there?
Mr. WedderburnI think both those points—the question of labour and the question of materials—were fully dealt with in the Debate last Thursday.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs the Under-Secretary aware that we have at present a scheme of 600 houses and that we have only five bricklayers?
Mr. WedderburnThat is a very good illustration of what we said last Thursday. There is another scheme in Dumbarton at present, of 200 houses where there are only five bricklayers.