HC Deb 27 June 1950 vol 476 cc2076-7
16. Mrs. Jean Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that local authorities are likely to be unable to secure completion of their housing contracts because of insufficient supplies of cement; and what steps he is taking to remedy this.

Mr. McNeil

I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply given on 19th June by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while cement is in short supply at 78s. a ton in Glasgow it can be got comparatively easily at £7 14s. 9d. a ton? Will he inquire why firms selling at this price can still get licences to import?

Mr. McNeil

I think, with great respect, that my hon. Friend's statement is not quite accurate. I have been inquiring most closely into this subject.

Mr. W. G. Bennett

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Glasgow Corporations are loading some more cement from Germany this week, and that because of that, and only because of that, they are able to carry on their building?

Mr. McNeil

I am aware that they are importing this cement, and I am glad they are doing so, but it is quite wrong to say that it is only with that cement that they are proceeding with their building. That is not so. It is a supplementary load, for which we are all very grateful.

Mr. J. J. Robertson

Can my right hon. Friend say what is being done for the immediate needs of Berwickshire?

Mr. McNeil

Yes, I am very glad to say that the Minister of Works, in collaboration with me, is arranging that cement should be shipped direct from London to Berwick.

Mr. Niall Macpherson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that weekly supplies are in excess of the amount estimated by the Ministry of Works? If there is any shortage at all it is the Government's fault.

Mr. McNeil

I cannot follow that question. I am unaware that any housing scheme has been stopped for lack of cement. Therefore, our cement budgeting cannot have been too wide of the mark.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have the name of a very large firm in Glasgow which could only get cement in the city at the figure I have given? I shall give him the name of that firm privately after Questions.

Mr. McNeil

I shall be delighted at this co-operation, but my recollection of the assertion of my hon. Friend is that he said that cement was easily obtainable at that figure. That is not so.