HC Deb 03 May 1948 vol 450 cc878-9
8. Mr. George Hicks

asked the Minister of Works whether he will make a statement on the quantity of building bricks and timber available in Great Britain.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Key)

With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the latest figures of the stocks of bricks and of softwood and hardwood.

Mr. Hicks

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the repeated statements made in the Press about the abundance of bricks and timber in the country? If that is true, would my right hon. Friend take into consideration the recommendation for expanding the building programme?

Mr. Key

The housing programme is to come under review in the immediate future. So far as timber is concerned, I doubt very much whether there is much in excess of the needs of the annual programme. As far as bricks are concerned, there is an accumulation of bricks at the present moment, and certain restrictions on the use of bricks have been removed.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Why is the Minister proposing to publish these figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT? Surely it cannot be a very long answer to a perfectly straightforward question?

Mr. Key

In order that the figures may be precise and detailed.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, without going into great detail, how these figures compare with a similar position last year?

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Will those figures include the quantity of building material held by the Lancashire Cricket Club on their Old Trafford ground, where they have had materials and voluntary labour for a considerable time, but cannot get a permit from the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Mr. Key

These are stocks in hand, and have not been allocated.

Following is the statement:

Stocks of bricks at the end of March, 1948, 538 millions.

Stocks of softwood and hardwood at the end of February, 1948:

Softwood—546,000 standards.

Hardwood—25.94 million cubic feet.