§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that 20,000 tons of coal have been supplied to Peterborough yards for the purpose of carrying on brick-making in that centre, he would arrange with the railway companies to distribute coal for brick-making purposes in other areas, especially in view of the fact that bricks for housing purposes are in great demand and the coal used for burning bricks is not suitable for domestic purposes?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not aware of the facts alleged. As stated in the 469W latter part of my reply to the question of the hon. Member of the 11th May, while the Government are fully alive to the importance of the production of bricks for housing purposes, they are not prepared, in view of the seriousness of the present situation, to ensure supplies of coal to any industries other than those vital to the life of the community.