Bricks (Hansard, 11 March 1969)

§ 10 and 11. Mr. Kitson
asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) whether he will make a statement about the current stock of bricks;

§ Mr. Mellish
I met representativies of the recently reconstructed Brick Development Association on 6th March, when I had useful discussions on stock levels amongst other matters.

§ Mr. Kitson
Is not the right hon. Gentleman going to give the figures?

§ Mr. Mellish
The hon. Gentleman did not ask for them but I will give them. At the end of January, the stocks of bricks totalled 760 million.

§ Mr. Kitson
That is in my Question.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Member for Richmond, Yorkshire (Mr. Kit-son) has asked his supplementary question.

§ Sir Frank Pearson
In view of recent publicity, I had better declare a personal interest in this Question. In view of the bad weather during February, will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that stocks at the end of February are likely to have been higher than in January? Will he consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether steps can be taken to make mortgages more easily available?

§ Mr. Mellish
I met the Brick Development Association and we discussed this matter recently. I reminded it, and I 1148 remind the House now, that early last year I gave the predictions for brick demand in 1968 based on the available statistics. The industry did not think that the figures were realistic and over-produced. The figures I gave were correct. The industry must learn the art of controlling its production to meet anticipated demand.

§ Mr. Chichester-Clark
On a point of order. My hon. Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Kitson) asked two Questions, which the Minister said he would answer together. He answered only one of them, and my hon. Friend pointed this out. With great respect, he has not asked his supplementary question.

§ Sir A. V. Harvey
Can you give guidance to the House, Mr. Speaker? My hon. Friend the Member for Clitheroe (Sir Frank Pearson), in asking a question, very courteously said that he wished to declare an interest. I recollect that it has not been the custom, at Question Time, for hon. Members to declare an interest—only during speeches. I know that these matters are under consideration, but in view of one or two remarks from the other side of the House, which you probably did not hear, I think that your guidance will be helpful.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I did not hear any remarks but it is to be regretted if there were any. I should have thought that it is a good thing for an hon. Member to declare his interest.

§ Mr. Kitson
Are not these figures too high, since private housing starts are dropping seriously and are likely to drop even more with an 8 per cent. Bank Rate? When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to see the stocks cleared?

§ Mr. Mellish
One of the problems was the appalling weather in January and February. I understand the problems of the brick manufacturers. One thing that could be done is to make earlier housing starts. I am in consultation with the Ministry of Housing about this. It is up to the industry to be clearly aware of the future demand and to produce accordingly.

§ Mr. Costain
Would the right hon. Gentleman admit that, before the bad weather of January and February, the stocks at the end of December were 50 1149 per cent. more than the previous December? Has not the brick industry some reason for concern?

§ Mr. Mellish
That is exactly what I am trying to say—that it was last March when I told the industry of my Department's view about the demand for bricks. It did not believe the figures and over-produced. I cannot say that people have to use bricks. Some people, including some famous firms that I know, use a lot of concrete.

§ Mr. Ford
Will my right hon. Friend agree that we would be using up these stocks much more quickly if Conservative-controlled councils would reverse their policies and build houses?