§ Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the statement contained in the March Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Prices of Building Materials that advances in the price of bricks have been notified since January of this year from seven out of the 12 centres selected by the Committee; if he can give any explanation of these advances; and what steps he intends to take in the matter?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." The Committee are making detailed inquiry into the reasons for the advances; I will consider the matter further when I receive their report.
§ Mr. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the statement contained in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee upon the Prices of Building Materials that the price of lead and sheet lead now stands at approximately £48 per ton as against £36 in April, 1923; and if he can give any explanation of this advance?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI am aware that the price of sheet lead has risen approximately as stated, reaching the higher price mentioned in March last. It has, however, quite recently been reduced in price by about £4 per ton. I am advised that the increase in cost of sheet lead has been due to a corresponding increase in the cost of the raw material which in turn is governed by conditions of world-wide demand.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Health if he will state the prices of ordinary bricks and red facing bricks on 1st December last; and the corresponding prices to-day?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI am circulating a statement with the OFFICIAL REPORT, in 455W reply to a question by the hon. Member for Woolwich, West (Sir K. Wood), giving information as regards the price of common bricks and facing bricks. Red facing bricks are not in general use for cottage building, and the Committee on Building Prices have not, therefore, obtained records of the price of this class of brick.
§ Mr. LAVERACKasked the Minister of Health if the Government proposes, in connection with the national housing scheme, to place orders for hardware and light castings only through combine houses at non-combine prices; whether it is intended to ignore the whole of the non-combine manufacturers and merchants who were mainly responsible for bringing down prices to the present figure; and whether, seeing that such procedure, if contemplated, would inflict injury upon non-associated firms, he will, in the interests of all concerned, and particularly the public, obtain estimates by public tender?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYAs at present proposed, it is not the intention of the Government to make direct purchases of material in connection with the new housing schemes.