HC Deb 05 May 1947 vol 437 cc3-4
3. Mr. Derek Walker-Smith

asked the Minister of Works whether he is satisfied that the value of the information obtained from the questionnaires on operating costs of building material distributors sent to all builders' merchants by the Independent Committee on Distribution of Building Materials, the appointment of which was announced by him on 24th June last, justifies the expense, time and labour necessarily involved in compiling the required information.

Mr. Key

The Committee attached considerable importance to the information which they hope to obtain from this return for the purpose of their inquiry and I see no reason to intervene.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Is this the Committee which leaves the Minister in a state of complete and utter ignorance as to prewar and postwar comparisons?

Mr. Key

This Committee has not yet reported, so that it is not responsible for any ignorance there may be on the part of the Minister.

Mr. Walker-Smith

When the Minister says "which they hope to obtain," has he no information as to whether the Committee have yet been able to place any value upon the information supplied to them in answer to these very detailed questionnaires?

Mr. Key

I have had no report from the Committee as yet, and I have had no complaint from them as regards the information supplied.