HC Deb 14 November 1966 vol 736 cc17-8
32. Sir J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works to what extent the output of roofing tiles has suffered in the last three months; what are the prospects for the next six months; and what he will do to keep productivity running at a reasonable level to keep unemployment down.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. James Boyden)

In the three months ending September, production in England and Wales was 6 per cent. lower than in the previous three months. Deliveries were 7 per cent. higher.

Sir J. Rodgers

Is the Minister aware that whilst stocks, it is true, are not quite so high, some of the larger firms in this industry are running at 70 per cent. capacity and that if the present trend continues they will be running at 50 per cent. capacity and inevitably there will be higher costs? Is that what the Minister is after?

Mr. Boyden

The fall in production follows the normal seasonal pattern. A

REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES OR WORKING PARTIES, 1960 TO 1966
Title Date Subject Implementation and General Remarks
Civil Defence in the Building and Civil Engineering Industries. 1962 Means of carrying out construction work in emergency. Setting-up of Emergency Construction Organisation.
Winter Building 1963 Problems of building in winter and solutions available. Revision of Ministry's own contract specifications to provide for aids to winter building. Initiation of research and development programme. Appointment of Winter Building Adviser.
Production of Building Components in Shipyards. 1963 Possible use of spare capacity in shipyards for manufacturing building components. Shipyard Enquiry Centres were set up to bring together potential clients and manufacturers. Some shipyards have diversified into industrialised building.
United Kingdom Housing Mission to Canada. 1963 Report of a visit to Canada to study methods of constructing timber houses and their possible application in U.K. Three demonstration pairs of Canadian timber houses were erected in different parts of U.K.
Building Research and Information Services. 1964 Examination of need for improved research and information services for building. A new Research and Information Association is about to be established.
Building Regulations Advisory Committee. 1964 Report of a Committee set up under Public Health Act 1961. New standard Building Regulations were made in 1965.
Placing and Management of Contracts for Building and Civil Engineering Work. 1964 Examination of current methods of placing and managing contracts and recommendations for improvements. Ministry is encouraging good modern practices by publishing guidance to building clients.

lot of houses under construction are awaiting their roofs. It is quite probable that demand will follow the usual pattern an call for increased production.