HC Deb 10 July 1950 vol 477 cc928-9
13. Mr. David Jones

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that important housing contracts are being held up at West Hartlepool and Stockton because the contractor is unable to obtain regular and reasonable deliveries of cement; and whether he will arrange for additional supplies of cement to be directed to the Tees area to avoid the holding up of important housing contracts.

Mr. Stokes

I am aware of these difficulties, which have been aggravated by a shortfall in shipments to the northern region during the week ending 1st July. The level of deliveries has now been restored, and some progress has been made in making up the arrears.

Mr. Jones

Will my right hon. Friend watch this matter very carefully, because there is a serious hold-up of important housing contracts in West Hartlepool and Stockton?

Mr. Stokes

Strict instructions have been given to ensure that there is no hold-up on housing, and I can only tell my hon. Friend that whereas the delivery for the week ended 1st July was 8,771 tons, for the week ended 8th July it was 11,000 tons.

Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

Has my right hon. Friend any information to show that the cement is going into the hands of certain distributors and not being made available to all distributors? As that question has been put to me, will he look into it?

Mr. Stokes

I will certainly investigate this, although I have no information to that effect. I can assure my hon. Friend that priority is given to all housing schemes.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Is it true that during the weekend the right hon. Gentleman said that if we exported more cement it would make no difference to home supplies?

Mr. Stokes

I cannot imagine that I should have been guilty of saying anything so stupid.