31. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the number of local authority housing schemes which have been delayed because of the shortage of bricks; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe number must be very small, because out of some 1,500 local housing authorities in England and Wales only 17 have made any representations about shortage of bricks, and not all of these had current schemes held up.
Mrs. ButlerWhilst appreciating that the figures which the Minister has are 976 small, is he aware that his previous building cuts closed down many small brick firms, and that some local authorities are having their contracts held up because of a shortage of bricks? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it will be necessary for him to announce and sustain a consistent building programme if the few firms remaining in the brick trade, and monopolising it, are to be expected to introduce the new plant necessary to meet the brick demand, which may be 8,000 million by next year?
§ Mr. BrookeI am always ready to assist if any local authority notifies me that its housing schemes are being held up by a brick shortage. However, general questions about brick supplies are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and not for me.