§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Works if he will give a schedule of the brickworks in this country, showing the extent to which mechanisation of clay-getting and clay-haulage increases as the output of bricks increases; whether increased mechanisation in the normal small brickworks increases output without increasing average costs of production; and what action he has taken, or proposes taking, to increase the supply of excavators and other mechanical aids, and encourage the small firms in the brick industry to use them.
§ Mr. KeyI am sending my hon. Friend a schedule which I hope will provide him 43W with the information he requires. As a general rule increased mechanisation in smaller brickworks tends to increase output and to reduce costs of production. Between January, 1946, and March, 1947, 45 Government surplus and new excavators of 1¼ yard capacity or over have been allocated by my Department to the brick industry. It is hoped to allocate approximately 30 new machines during 1947 and 1948 which have been purchased in the United States, and in addition negotiations are proceeding for the purchase from France of new machines suitable for small yards The technical staff of my Department in conjunction with the Building Research Station and British Refractories Research Association are encouraging the use of mechanical aids in small brickworks.