HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 c548
24. Mr. Ronald Chamberlain

asked the Minister of Works whether he will now publish, either in full or in summarised form, the findings of the committee on the price of building materials, set up in June, 1947.

Mr. Key

The committee has given me valuable advice upon certain issues I have put to them in connection with the price control of one or two materials. Their advice has provided a helpful basis for further discussion with the industries concerned, but it is not, in my view, suitable for publication.

Mr. Chamberlain

In view of the alarming and ever-rising cost of building materials, and also the comments in the Girdwood Report, in chapter five, will my right hon. Friend reconsider this matter, particularly as some months ago he said that he might be publishing some of the information?

Mr. Key

I said that if information came from the committee which I felt it was wise to publish, I would do so; but the committee have made no independent report upon any subject yet. They have merely answered questions which I have put to them about individual materials, and I do not consider that their answers are appropriate for publication.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Why is the advice of a committee on the price of building materials considered unsuitable for publication?

Mr. Key

Rather secret details are given to these people from information which we have obtained. We ask their advice upon it. It would be wrong to publish the material we have acquired in that way.