HC Deb 17 January 1945 vol 407 c185W
Mr. Grenfell

asked the Minister of Works the manufacturing capacity in millions of bricks in all British brickworks for 1938, 1940, 1942 and 1944, with the quantities in stock for each year, respectively.

Mr. Sandys

The total annual sales of bricks in 1938, 1942 and 1944, were 7,500,000,000, 2,700,000,000 and 1,200,000,000 respectively. Stocks at the end of each of these years were 550,000,000, 879,000,000 and 1,070,000,000. Figures for 1940 are not available.

Mr. Grenfell

asked the Minister of Works if he will state the average price per 1,000 of all bricks sold by brick-making firms for 1939 and 1944.

Mr. Sandys

Complete statistics of the prices at which bricks were sold in 1944 are not available, but it is estimated that the average price at the works was approximately 66s. per thousand. A comparable estimate of the average price prevailing in August, 1939, is 39s.

Mr. Grenfell

asked the Minister of Works the number of persons employed in brickworks for 1939 and 1944, respectively.

Mr. Sandys

In December, 1944, 16,290 persons were employed in brickworks. Statistics for 1939 are not available.