§ 37. Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will make a statement on the current state of the supply of building materials.
§ 38. Mr. Urwinasked the Minister of Public Building and Works, if he has now made a detailed survey on the availability of building materials; and if he will make a statement.
§ 40. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware of the shortage in Great Britain of building materials; and what are his plans, and how far they are advanced, to meet this shortage in Great Britain instead of importing these materials from abroad.
§ Mr. C. PannellI have investigated the supply of all the key materials, including those which caused concern in 1964 and I am continuing to watch the position very closely. I expect the present difficulties to diminish during this year in most cases as a result of increases in production, but there may be difficulties over cement during the next few months. With the exception of wood and wood products, imports of most building materials are a very small percentage of home production.
§ Mr. HamlingIs my right hon. Friend aware that the vigour of his administration is much appreciated on this side of the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerWill the hon. Gentleman please rephrase that supplementary question? In that form it is out of order.
§ Mr. UrwinIs it the case that there is to be additional investment in the next four years of £25 million by the brick-makers to increase brick capacity? If so, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this investment is sufficient to meet the requirements of the industry?
§ Mr. PannellI do not know whether I can answer for all that time ahead, except to say that I have met the brick-makers and I have found them most cooperative. They have agreed with my Ministry on the target to be set for next year and they expect to achieve it.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes my right hon. Friend realise that this matter has a very important bearing on our national economy and on employment and unemployment in the country? Will he take urgent steps to see that the position is rectified?
§ Mr. PannellI do not know what my hon. and learned Friend means by the position being rectified. I took this job last October and my main preoccupation since has been to see that we get the building materials in the industry and then that we get the houses.
§ Brigadier ClarkeDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the 15 per cent. surcharge has made building a great deal more difficult and more expensive, especially where wood is concerned?
§ Mr. PannellThat is only a marginal consideration here. After all, the 15 per cent. surcharge went right across the board, and if I had wanted examples I would not have chosen these.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunIn this effort to increase the housebuilding programme, will my right hon. Friend consider the contribution that could be made by the rapidly developing British caravan building industry?
§ Mr. PannellI am afraid the matter of caravans is not one for me.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that the effect of the surcharge on building materials and especially wood is marginal, can he tell the House how much the cost is on the average house?
§ Mr. PannellI think the right hon. Gentleman had better put that question down. We will then have all the percentages worked out. I can only say that I have had a great deal of representation on this point, but none of the advocates of remission who have come before me have ever agreed.