§ 2. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Works whether he has noted the serious decline in the brick and tile industry in 748 North Staffordshire; whether he will give the present number of men employed as compared with the previous two years; and what action it is proposed to take to assist these industries.
§ Mr. MolsonSeparate figures of employment in those two industries are not available, but I am aware that the demand for local bricks and tiles is now less than it was in 1956 and 1957. I regard this lower level of activity as more appropriate to current economic circumstances, but I am watching the position carefully in consultation with my right hon. Friends and with the appropriate trade associations.
§ Dr. StrossIs the Minister aware, however, that in North Staffordshire the situation in these industries is considered to be quite desperate already? Is he aware, for example, that stocks have accumulated to such an extent that one brickworks has had to cease production, for it has no more room for stocking bricks, and that other brickworks are in danger of having to close down altogether? Can he be a little more helpful than he has been in his Answer already?
§ Mr. MolsonIt must be expected that the reduced housing programme will result in a reduced demand for bricks. It is also the case that large-scale producers of bricks, whose costs of production are very low, will obtain an increasing share of the local market for bricks.
§ Colonel BeamishIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is a country-wide problem? Will he continue to consider sympathetically any proposals put to him by the industry which might help to avoid an unnecessarily heavy fall in the industry's fortunes?
§ Mr. MolsonI am always willing to consider sympathetically any proposals which are put forward. At the same time, it is necessary to realise that a number of brickworks with fairly high costs of production are not likely to survive now that the demand is not as great as it was two or three years ago.