53. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, since between 1960 and 1968 the use of home-produced wood chipboard increased from 24,500 tons to 123,200 tons and imports rose from 20,200 tons to 165,000 tons, what steps he has taken or proposes to take to ensure that in the specification of materials for use in the construction of buildings for which his Department is responsible, wood chipboard of United Kingdom manufacture is specified, subject to satisfactory price and quality.
§ Mr. MacCollHome production of chipboard, which is running at a high 49W level in relation to capacity, amounted in 1968 to 179,500 tons.
I hope that where indigenous building materials are satisfactory in price and quality the local authorities and other house building authorities will make full use of them without directions from my right hon. Friend.