§ Mr. Shurmerasked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of building materials which is causing a bottleneck in the housing drive in Birmingham; that only four out of 12 brickyards are operating; that steel window frames, sanitary fittings, sinks, cookers, plaster boards, slating and timber, all are many weeks overdue; and will he take immediate action in this matter.
§ Mr. TomlinsonWithin a radius of 10 miles of the centre of Birmingham there are 14 active brickworks, 8 of which are producing common bricks at the rate of 2J million a month. At the beginning of the year these 8 works held a stock of over 12 million bricks, and in addition bricks are reaching the Birmingham region daily from the Bedford and Peterborough areas. I know of no contract in the Birmingham area which is actually held up by reason of a shortage of bricks. As regards the other materials and components referred to in the Question, I and my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, are making every effort to overcome such shortages as there may be. I am not aware that housing is being held up in Birmingham on this account and should be glad to look into any particular cases of which my hon. Friend is aware.