§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will make a statement on the current supply position of building materials; and whether he is satisfied that the present position will not jeopardise the house-building programme.
§ Mr. C. PannellI have investigated the supply of all the key materials, including those which caused concern in 1964 and I am continuing to watch the position very closely. I expect the present difficulties to diminish during this year in most cases as a result of increases in production, but there may be difficulties over cement during the next few months. With the exception of wood and wood products, imports of most building178W materials are a very small percentage of home production.
Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will arrange for the regular publication by the National Building Agency of a list of the main building materials with indication of the approximate delay in delivery dates in various parts of the country, with a view to making it more possible for those responsible for building to switch to materials which are in less short supply than others.
§ Mr. BoydenNo. This would be a matter for my right hon. Friend's Ministry rather than for the National Building Agency.