HC Deb 13 March 1956 vol 550 c219
37. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Works what his Department now pays for one ton of cement; and the cost to his Department in February, 1939.

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

In London now 95s. and in 1939 38s. 11d.

Mr. Hynd

In view of that big increase in price during that period, does the right hon. Gentleman not think it exposes in a new light the boasts of hon. Gentlemen opposite about the cement trade not increasing, the price still further?

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

If one takes 100 as the base figure, in the case of all building materials prices are over three times what they were in 1939, of bricks three times, and of cement only two and a half times.

Mr. Osborne

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this increase is considerably less than the increase in the price of coal between those two dates?