§ Mr. Urwinasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the total number of bricks used during the year 1965; and how the total consumption compares with 1964.
§ Mr. C. PannellBetween 7,900 million and 8,000 million bricks were used in 1964, and between 7,700 million and 7,800 million in 1965, a difference of between 2 per cent. and 3 per cent.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many brick manufacturers have given official notice of their intention to cut back production; and what reasons have been advanced for such action.
148W
§ Mr. C. PannellI have not received official notice from any individual brick-maker of his intention to cut back production. Although I have received representations from the National Federation of Clay Industries. Some firms are reducing production; but others including the largest in the industry are expanding their capacity. Part of the trouble within the industry is due to the type of competition. Other reasons are: the shortage of mortgage money early in 1965 and the Chancellor's measures in July. The demand for bricks has fallen below capacity and the bad weather of November and December resulted in an increase of about 200 million in the stocks.