§ Sir W. SEAGERasked the Minister of Health whether it is probable that the country will be faced with an insufficient supply of bricks in the near future, thus leading to an increase in the demand for Portland cement; whether the supplies of the latter material are becoming inadequate; and, if so, will he ensure 2131W that the supplies are sufficient to guarantee the necessary progress in the construction of houses?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have no information on which to estimate the supply of bricks and cement which will be required for works other than housing, and, in the absence of such information, it is difficult to say whether the ultimate demands for housing schemes can be met without interference with normal trade conditions. I am closely watching the position both with regard to future output and with regard to the future demands for housing under the headings of the several classes of materials which will be required.