§ 61. Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the. Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he can give the House any assurance that the necessary building materials, cement, bricks, etc., will be available for the heavy construction programme before the country and that there is no likelihood of short ages being experienced, as was the case last year?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings (Mr. Hicks)Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to give the House full assurance that, subject to unforeseen developments, all the necessary building materials will be available for essential works in the Government programme. I would, however, emphasise that this is conditioned by the fact that we cannot afford to allow any work to proceed which is not urgently necessary.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan the hon. Gentleman say whether in fact there was any shortage of cement at all last year, except a shortage produced by ill-managed premises?