§ 2. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from local authorities concerning the shortage of building materials, especially plasterboard; and what steps he intends to take to overcome such shortages.
§ Mr. BoydenRepresentations have been made by twelve local authorities in Scotland about delays in the delivery of building materials, especially plasterboard. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain) on 1st February, he has met the producers of the key building materials. Difficulties should ease progressively as the additional capacity which has been promised becomes available.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes my right hon. Friend's reply mean that no local authorities in England are suffering from or have protested about these shortages? If it does, it is not my impression. Can he tell me, in particular, what are the delivery dates for plasterboard? Is is not the case that Fife County Council had to wait many months for it and that this is having an effect on holding up building progress? What are the implications behind my right hon. Friend's speech at the weekend, in which he talked about shortages of cement?
§ Mr. BoydenNo, Sir, to the first part of the question. Delivery dates are very difficult to give because they vary from time to time, but the manufacturers have devised a scheme under which they quote a common delivery period throughout the country, and this is probably the best way of spreading available supplies as fairly as possible.