§ Lieut.-Colonel Sharpasked the Minister of Works to what extent powered hand tools are now used in house building; whether their increased use would result in the production of more houses; and what action he is taking to see that more are used.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI regret that there are no figures of the actual number of powered hand tools in use in house building, but manufacturers' orders indicate that then-use is increasing. To encourage their use a mobile exhibition, organised by my Department, was recently held in a number of towns in Great Britain.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sharpasked the Minister of Supply what was the recent monthly production figures of powered hand took such as electrically driven hand-saws and drills, which can be used in house building; to what extent supplies are augmented by imports or reduced by exports; and what action he is taking to increase the available supply.
§ Mr. WilmotPowered hand tools are produced in a wide range of different types and sizes, and records of production, exports and imports are not maintained in sufficient detail to distinguish those which are suitable for use in house building. The supply position is at present being examined by my Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Works, with particular reference to the requirements of the housing programme.