§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the building industry regarding the latest increase in cement prices and its effect on firm-price tenders; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. AmeryI have received a number of letters from representative organisations and individual contractors. These letters are generally critical of the increase in relation to its effect on firm price tenders. In my replies I have pointed out the importance of the firm-price tendering 119W policy in connection with the Government's aim to contain inflation. I have also drawn attention to the Cement Makers' Federation's unconditional undertaking that there will be no further increase in the price of Portland cement for twelve months.