19. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is aware that the importation of foreign marble into this country amounts to approximately £2 million worth a year; what approximate proportion of such imports are used in buildings for which his department is responsible; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take to use materials of British origin in substitution.
§ Mr. LoughlinYes, Sir. The volume of marble and marble-type imports in 1968 was 72,000 tons, valued at £1.8 million. So far as the Department is concerned the use of marble is kept to a minimum. The estimated annual use of slab marble and chippings in the Department's buildings is approximately 160 tons, valued at about £1,750.
Mr. Gresham CookeI do not suggest that all Government buildings are marble halls, but will the Minister bear in mind that there is now a perfectly adequate British substitute for marble and that we could stop this little drain on our balance of payments?
§ Mr. LoughlinI am glad that the hon. Gentleman recognises that £1,750 is a little drain. We do our best with our own buildings to ensure that when there is a material which may be substituted for marble, it is used.