§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Health whether it is his practice, when approving schemes for the erection by local authorities of working-class dwellings, to require that wherever practicable British materials shall be used in the erection of such dwellings?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSection 10 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, provides that, in approving proposals for the construction of houses. the Minister of Health shall not impose any conditions which would prevent the materials required being purchased in the cheapest market at home or abroad. The Government have, however, urged local authorities to arrange that all contracts for or incidental to works carried out by them should. in the absence of special circumstances, be placed in this country.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the unemployment existing among brick-makers, quarry men. and others employed in producing building materials in this country, he will consider the desirability of making it a condition of sanctioning loans required by local authorities for public works that British materials shall be used wherever practicable in the execution of such works?
1961W
Mr. CHAMBERLAINA condition of this kind is imposed in the case of works for which an unemployment grant is given. I do not think that the condition could properly be imposed in other cases, but the importance of using British materials has been impressed on local authorities on several occasions.