§ 14. Mr. Shurmerasked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the City of Birmingham Estates Department is being held up in the rebuilding of bombed houses on their estates owing to the slow delivery of timber and galvanised clamps; that repairs on all their estates, long overdue, are being held up owing to the delay in delivery of materials needed; that whereas brickyards in that city were producing 10 million bricks per month only 1½ millions are now being produced; and if he will take steps to see that these delays are remedied as soon as possible.
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo, Sir. My inquiries have not brought to light any hold up at Birmingham at the present time, although, failing the increases in supplies that we are trying to secure, difficulties might arise later on. With regard to bricks, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 12th February.
§ Mr. ShurmerIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have actually seen the report from the Estates Department given out last week where they report to their chairman the holding-up as stated in my Question?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI also have been in touch with the manager of the Estates Department, who assures me there is no hold-up at the present time