HC Deb 05 February 1975 vol 885 cc506-7W
45. Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many bricks are now in stock; what redundancies have occurred within the brick industry; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeson

The provisional figure for brick stocks at the end of 1974 is 909 million. 3,521 redundancies in brick-making were notified to the Employment Service Agency in 1974. The Government have taken a number of measures to help the brick industry. In particular, I remind my hon. Friend of the various initiatives on private sector housebuilding announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mrs. Taylor) on 27th January.