§ 40. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will give favourable consideration to withdrawing all controls affecting the building industry and introducing price control of all building materials until such time as these supplies have been built up and are able to meet all demands.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hicks)So long as there is a shortage of building labour, it is necessary to retain a control of the building industry in order that the available capacity may be used where the national interest requires. The prices of the more important building materials are already controlled, either statutorily or by means of voluntary arrangements with the industries concerned.