§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his Department has decided, with the approval of the Local Government Board for Scotland and by arrangement with the brickmakers, to standardise the three-inch brick for all supplies used in connection with forthcoming housing schemes; whether the present standard size of bricks in Scotland is 3¼ in. thick; whether the Scottish building trades were consulted before this change was made; and whether, if the now Regulation is enforced, it will add considerably to the cost of housing schemes which arc carried out in brickwork?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Prior to this standardisation there was no standard size of bricks in Scotland, and this want of system was a serious obstacle to any housing scheme. I am advised that the enforcement of the new regulation will not add to the cost of any housing schemes, but, on the contrary, will enable them to be carried out more cheaply.