§ 6. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Public Building and Works to what extent, in imposing building controls, he took into consideration the matter of unemployment in the Portland stone industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BoydenThe decision to seek building control legislation was taken in the light of the general state of the construction industry, of which the Portland stone industry is a part.
§ Mr. KingIf we may deduce, as I think we may, from that reply that the Ministry forgot all about the Portland stone industry, will the hon. Gentleman accept it from me that his Ministry is responsible for the grave redundancy position as a result of those controls, and will he seek to influence other contracts in the direction of Portland?
§ Mr. BoydenThe answer to the first part of that question is "No, Sir". Indeed, I am seeing representatives of the Portland stone industry on 10th May. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not want the Ministry to influence the building industry in favour of one particular commodity.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkArising out of that reply, does the hon. Gentleman recall that the former Minister, upon taking office, said that he had inherited a generally satisfactory state of affairs in the building and construction industry?
§ Mr. BoydenOn the specific point of the decline of the Portland stone industry, this has come about over a long period and has, I think, been due very much to a declining demand and a change of attitude towards this commodity.