HC Deb 22 June 1948 vol 452 c1110
17. Commander Galbraith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect on the cost of and time of erection of houses has resulted from the enforced use by Scottish builders of the 3-inch brick in place of the traditional 3½-inch brick.

Mr. Woodburn

Before the war brick sizes in Scotland varied between 3-inch and 3½-inch and no one size could properly be called traditional. Brick makers are now concentrating on production of a smaller sized brick, but information is not yet available to show the effect of its use.

Mr. McKinlay

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the adoption of the English 3-inch brick will necessitate 12 additional courses for an ordinary four-apartment house, which will involve extra cost? Can he explain how it is better for a bricklayer to lay 3-inch bricks instead of 3½-inch bricks when he has to lay extra courses?

Mr. Woodburn

This has been carried out according to the advice of the union of the building trades. I take it that they believe it will be more effective to use the smaller brick, but experience has not yet been sufficient to test this out.

Commander Galbraith

Surely the right hon. Gentleman considered this increased cost before he allowed the smaller bricks to be used?

Mr. Woodburn

This was done during the war period. It was an agreement arrived at during the time of the Coalition Government, and I have no reason to doubt the wisdom of the decision.