HC Deb 19 December 1945 vol 417 cc1477-8W
Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the various items that go to make up the cost of the £45 per ton that makes up the cost of the secondary aluminium used in the emergency bungalows.

Mr. Wilmot

My Department obtains supplies of secondary aluminium from the trade by tenders from smelters, and the price of £46 per ton, accepted as a result of these tenders rules the outside market. Current costs are obtained as a check on the fairness of this price. It would be contrary to established practice to give details of them.

Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if all the works that are now making the temporary emergency aluminium houses are completing these for, approximately, the sum of £1,365; and if he will give the highest and the lowest price in the different works.

Mr. Wilmot

The cost of fabrication of the aluminium house is only a portion of the total cost. The sum of £1,365 is the estimated average cost over the total number of houses it is proposed to build, and includes delivery, erection and other costs as set out in the reply given on 27th November by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to the hon. Member for Coatbridge. As regards the last part of the Question, it is contrary to established practice to reveal contract prices.