§ 18. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Works the number of bricks that are now being produced monthly; what is the monthly national requirement; and what was the number in reserve on the latest date available.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe brick returns for March are not yet complete, but it is estimated that production will amount to approximately 170 million. The monthly national requirement for March was estimated at 290 million; the number of bricks in stock at the end of March is estimated at 725 million.
§ Mr. BossomDoes not the Minister realise that the British public infinitely prefer brick houses to houses of any other material and especially to many of those now being built by the Ministry today, and will he therefore see that every effort is made to increase the production of bricks so that we can have brick houses?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI can assure the hon. Member that we are doing all we can to 2486 increase the supply of bricks, and that any effort from any source that will increase the number of people going into brick works will be welcomed by us.