asked the Minister of Works why, in view of the shortage of houses, he allowed 412,811 tons of cement to be exported during the six months ended June, 1947, and imported 772 tons at approximately double the export price.

The exports of cement have been reduced in recent months to the level necessary to maintain the essential work abroad undertaken or sponsored by the Government. The reply to the second part of the Question is that there is no restriction upon the import of cement.