HC Deb 27 July 1964 vol 699 cc172-4W
40. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, in view of the persisting acute shortage of bricks and the fact that this state of affairs has been experienced frequently for a number of years to the detriment of the building industry, what has been done or is contemplated to ensure that a better supply of bricks is available for the building work to be carried out.

42. Mr. Allaun

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to overcome the shortage of bricks in the North-West.

45. Mr. Millan

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what recent discussions he has had with brick manufacturers in Scotland with a view to increasing the supply of bricks and preventing building delays.

46. Mr. Millan

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to increase the supply of bricks in Scotland.

47. Mr. Boston

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is aware that there is shortage of bricks in the Faversham constituency, that except for small emergency orders firms are accepting no new customers this year, and that regular customers are being given delivery dates of from eight to 10 months hence; and what estimate he has made of the effect this and other regional shortages of bricks are having and will have over the next 12 months on the building programme for the South-East.

48. Mr. Boston

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to overcome the shortages of bricks in the South-East.

Mr. Rippon

Although I have received reports of local difficulties there is very little evidence that current building work is being held up. My Ministry is in close touch with brickmakers and brick users. The brickmakers are increasing their capacity and brick production this year has been running at record levels. The output of bricks for June was the highest ever recorded for any month.

Mr. Boston

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what are the general expected delivery dates for bricks ordered this month in the South-East.

Mr. Rippon

There is a very wide range of variation not only in the time in which bricks are expected to be delivered but also in the dates at which they are needed. Delivery periods depend on many factors including the location of the site and the type of brick required. I understand that whereas in some cases contractors can expect deliveries within a few weeks, in other cases the delivery period can be much longer and in extreme cases as long as 15 months.