HC Deb 04 December 1951 vol 494 cc2220-2
40. Mr. G. H. R. Rogers

asked the Minister of Works what controls affecting the production of bricks are still in operation.

41. Mr. Frederick Mulley

asked the Minister of Works what controls are now in force in the brick industry.

Mr. Eccles

The only control directly affecting the brick industry is the Bricks (Control) Order, 1942, under which brick manufacturers are licensed by my Ministry.

Mr. Rogers

Why is it then that a fortnight ago the hon. Gentleman told the Federation of Clay Industries that if they did not let him know within two or three weeks what controls they wanted removed he would use very bad language?

Mr. Eccles

I asked the Federation at their luncheon to let me know about controls in relation to building in general, which I am glad to say they are doing. The truth is that the confidence of the brick industry was badly shaken by the faulty planning under the last Government.

Mr. Mulley

Could the right hon. Gentleman give some indication of the faulty planning to which he refers? Is it the intention of the Government to give manufacturers the right of decision as to what building shall be done and in what way and in what proportion?

Mr. Eccles

The faulty planning consisted in being tied down to a figure of 200,000. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is injecting confidence into this industry because he is determined to build as many houses as possible and not to be tied to a figure.

Mr. Herbert Morrison

If, as is alleged, it was wrong for the late Government to be tied to 200,000 houses, what is right about this Government being tied, if it is tied, to 300,000 houses?

Mr. Eccles

The Government are not tied to any figure, except that we intend to build as many houses as we can. The right hon. Gentleman will laugh the other side of his face when we have built more than 300,000.

Mr. Mulley

Is it not the case that rather than the building industry being impeded by a shortage of houses built, the housing programme has been held up on many occasions by a shortage of bricks?

Mr. Eccles

There is another Question on that point coming next on the Order Paper.

42. Mr. Mulley

asked the Minister of Works how many bricks have been manufactured in this country in the last year, to the nearest convenient date; how this number compares with the target set as the minimum requirement of the building industry to enable it to achieve the building programme planned for 1951; and what steps he proposes to take, following his consultation with the National Federation of Clay Industries on 20th November, to increase brick production.

Mr. Eccles

Six thousand and eighteen million bricks were manufactured in this country in the 12 months ended 31st October, 1951; the target set by my predecessor was 6,800 million bricks for 1951. The target will, therefore, not be reached. I am continuing my discussions with the industry to see what help I can give, and have asked them to bring to my notice any difficulties in the way of expansion.

Mr. Mulley

Does the Minister's later answer not negative completely his previous answer to a supplementary question? Rather than do away with controls, will he not take active steps to institute controls in the building industry to stimulate production and in particular to encourage the storage of bricks?

Mr. Eccles

The hon. Member is quite wrong. Members of the industry have already brought to my notice three important subjects. One is the supply of labour. [Interruption.] I was not asking about controls. I was asking how to expand the industry. The second is houses for key brick workers in the right places, and the third the question of credit in order that they may stack bricks this winter. All these are under consideration, and when I have the views of the Federation I propose to take action.

Mrs. Barbara Castle

Is it not a fact that a fortnight ago the right hon. Gentleman asked the brick manufacturers which specific controls they wanted removed in order to increase the production of bricks? Is it not a fact that he was really a victim of Tory propaganda and that no such controls existed?

Mr. Eccles

I asked the Federation members who were at that luncheon what controls on the building industry they wanted removed. I also asked them what I could do to help them expand brick production. The history of the brick industry under the Labour Party is a very sorry story. I intend to make it a better one.

Mr. Mulley

I beg to give notice, Sir, that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.