HC Deb 17 March 1982 vol 20 cc342-3
6. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the demand for bricks.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Sir George Young)

Brick deliveries in January this year were 161 million.

Mrs. Short

The Minister has not answered the question. Is he aware that last year the demand for bricks was the lowest in any peace time year this century due to the cutback in public sector housing and the decline in demand in the private sector? What does he intend to do to ensure that brick firms are producing bricks in two years' time when the Labour Party takes over and starts the building programme again?

Sir George Young

The hon. Lady asked for the latest estimate of demand. The best estimate of demand is the figure for deliveries—161 million. I hope that the brick industry will respond to the measures taken in the Budget, but the industry has to compete with other construction materials. The industry has been losing its share of the market. It is not solely a matter of the recession affecting the industry.

Turning to the position in two years' time—when we shall be continuing to have responsibility for the construction industry—I point out that the Government have given the Construction Industry Training Board an additional £3 million this year for the continued training of apprentices and award holders.

Mr. Latham

Is not the demand for bricks likely to be increased considerably by the recent excellent decision to cut the mortgage rate and by the help given in the Budget for improvement work?

Sir George Young

My hon. Friend is quite right. I hope that all hon. Members will rejoice in the increase in private sector starts that has already taken place.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

Will the Minister confirm that there are record stockpiles of bricks in Britain? Will he also confirm that there are enough bricks to house 250, 000 people, to build a new city the size of Leicester, or, indeed, three Tonbridge and Maldons? As there are 400, 000 building workers unemployed, why does the Minister not advocate more action to bring those resources together and build much-needed houses?

Sir George Young

Tonbridge and Maldon would be a very interesting constituency. There are about 25 weeks' supply at current demand levels. I am sure that the incentive that my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave both to home buyers and to the construction industry will ensure that those stocks start to be used.