§ 88. Wing-Commander Robinsonasked the Minister of Works in what parts of the country there is now a surplus of bricks; and whether he is taking steps to send these surplus bricks to other parts of the country in which there may be a shortage.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThere are stocks of bricks in all regions, but in the aggregate these are no more than one quarter of the stocks at the end of 1945. In three regions where stocks are rising (the East and West Ridings, North Midlands, and the North Western region) my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has requested local authorities to arrange for building' contractors to order and accept delivery of bricks during the winter against their requirements in the first half of 1947. It is open to local authorities and contractors in other parts of the country to make purchases from these regions if they are prepared to meet the cost of transport.
§ 92. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Minister of Works the cost of transporting bricks from Belgium to North-East coast ports and South Wales ports, respectively; and TO what extent it would be cheaper to explore the possibilities of manufacturing bricks from granulated slag obtainable from furnaces, a plentiful supply of which is available adjoining the existing steel 12W plants, particulars of which have been sent to his Department.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe cost of delivering Belgian bricks at the North-East ports is about £8 10s. per thousand, and at the South Wales ports £9 per thousand. The possibility of producing bricks from granulated slag from furnaces is being explored at the moment.