Sir J. HOPEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the Scottish building trade were consulted before he decided to alter the standard thickness of bricks in Scotland from 3¼ to 3 inches; and whether he is aware that builders consider the alteration will involve an additional cost on housing schemes?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYTwo of the largest Scottish building contractors have been consulted, and are both strongly in favour of standardisation on the basis of a three-inch brick for building, with a somewhat thicker brick for pressed facings. I am advised that the adoption of a three-inch brick would probably effect an economy in the cost of housing scheme. There is no intention of making it a universal standard, although it is probable that its convenience may cause it to become so.