HC Deb 10 February 1953 vol 511 cc201-2
22. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that 11 million bricks were imported from Belgium in 1952; and, since the price of these bricks adds £130 to the cost of a house, what action he proposes to take to ensure adequate supplies of local bricks for the Scottish housing programme.

Mr. J. Stuart

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and I have already taken steps both to increase the production of bricks and to secure economies in their use.

Mr. McInnes

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate to the House precisely what steps have been taken? Is he aware that if he makes an investigation into the position in Scotland he will find many brickfields and brickworks which were declared redundant at the beginning of the war because of the stupid policy of rationalisation and cannot he do something to have them put back into production?

Mr. Stuart

I am glad to say that the imports amount to less than 2 per cent. of Scottish production. Production rose by 12 per cent. last year compared with 1951, and in 1953 it should be higher. We are also improving on economies in the use of scarce materials, such as bricks, and by these various measures I trust that the situation will improve.

Mr. Patrick Maitland

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the possibility of encouraging the increased use of stone as a substitute for brick as an assistance to an industry which is rapidly dying out in Scotland?

Mr. Stuart

I have previously answered Questions my hon. Friend has asked on this point. I, personally, would welcome the use of stone where cost, and so on, permits.

Mr. Manuel

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the most serious aspect of this question is the added on-cost of £135 to the building of the house; and as we are all concerned to get houses built at a cheaper rate, is it not extraordinary that during the campaign for cheapness steps are being taken by his Department which actually increase the cost of the house, and which builders cannot cope with in their attempt to get a cheaper house?

Mr. Stuart

I have tried to explain that the steps we are taking are in the opposite direction, towards using fewer foreign imported bricks, thereby reducing the cost of the house, not only in that way but also by using fewer bricks.