§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take immediate steps to prevent the reduction of capacity by brick producers which is currently taking place.
§ Mr. FreesonI hope that the initiatives which the Government have taken to stimulate housebuilding will increase the demand for bricks. I have discussed the position in the brick industry with the Brick Development Association whose members are concerned to keep reductions in capacity to a minimum and I am meeting representatives of the London Brick Company and the unions later this month.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many brick producers there are in the United Kingdom and how many works are threatened with closure.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe number of brick producers in the United Kingdom at the end of May 1974 was about 250.
I understand that since the beginning of the year five works and three kilns
480Win each of the past five years for security of tenure; and how many have been granted and how many refused, respectively.
§ Mr. KaufmanReadily available figures start from April 1970 when a revised table of statistics was introduced. The figures are shown below:
lettings over each of the past five years; and how many of these rents have been confirmed, increased, or decreased, or applications dismissed, respectively.
§ Mr. KaufmanReadily available figures start from April 1970 when a revised table of statistics was introduced. The figures are shown below:
in other works have been closed due to the drop in demand for bricks and that on present plans a further nine works are likely to be closed before the end of the year. Two of these are older works which are due to be replaced by new plant later this year.