asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what stocks of bricks were available in Scotland at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what was the comparable figure in the same month of the previous year.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has formed of the number of bricks in stock.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the number of bricks produced in February, 1966; and how this compares with the equivalent figures for January, 1966, December, 1965, and November, 1965.

There were 882 million bricks, about five or six weeks' usage, in stock at the end of March, including 58 million, three or four weeks' supply, in Scotland. Production figures for November and December, 1965, and January, February and March, 1966, were 652, 592, 569, 552 and 650 million, respectively.

Does the hon. Gentleman recall any year since the war when stocks of bricks have been so high at this time of the year, and would he not regard it as a condemnation of the Government's policies that housebuilding in Scotland last year went down by 2,000 and fell again in January and February, this at a time when brick stocks are so large?

Yes, Sir. Stocks were higher than this in 1963. They tend to fluctuate. There have been instances of gluts and shortages over many years. As for the situation in Scotland, I am sure the hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that the seasonal increase in demand started more quickly there than in England and Wales. Stocks in Scotland, at 58 million bricks, are only 6 million higher than a year ago.

Can we hope from this Minister that, unlike his predecessor, he will not over-stimulate the production of bricks at a time when the Chancellor of the Exchequer is restraining funds for house purchase and when the Minister of Housing and Local Government is cutting back on homes for owner-occupation?

My predecessor inherited a great shortage of bricks and, I say in retrospect, the action he took was absolutely correct. As for the subsequent measures of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, those were dictated by the economic crisis inherited from the previous Government.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to improve the catering facilities at the British Museum.

Before 1961, there were no public catering facilities. Since then a temporary snack bar has been provided. A scheme is being considered for a new and larger restaurant.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Museum authorities deplore the poor catering facilities as much as I do? Does he not think that, with several hundred people working in the reading room at the British Museum, it is a matter of urgency that he should provide a proper meals service for these people?

The provision of food is a matter for the Museum authorities. A scheme is under consideration, for which it is hoped that planning and contract preliminaries will be completed in time for building work to start at the end of 1967.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what research he is conducting into remedies for dampness in recently completed houses.

The Ministry is investigating cases of dampness which have occurred in certain of its new buildings. Sytematic research is done by the Build- ing Research Station of the Ministry of Technology, with which the Ministry collaborates, and the results are published regularly.

In the light of recent experience in Scotland and the West Midlands, is this sufficient?

With regard to dampness, technical knowledge is usually sufficient to cover all considerations. The main difficulties are lack of information among the builders and workmen and often the misuse of the building by the people who occupy it.

How soon can a report be published, because this is a very serious business and many people think that there is a fault in design which should be corrected before more houses are built?

I cannot answer for a specific case, because I have not had a specific case put to me. Reports on this matter are published all the time, some on specific cases for which the Ministry of Public Building and Works is responsible.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to encourage the production of standard building components for industrialised methods of building.

The Ministry is using its own programme to encourage the production of standard building components and is continually advising client authorities, the industry and its associated professions. The Ministry is promoting dimensional co-ordination; for example, by pressing for the adoption of standard floor to floor heights in housing.

Can my hon. Friend say what proportion of building will be done this year by using these components, what the value of production in terms of money will be, and if he will encourage builders to use these standardised components even when building traditional houses?

The answer to the last part of that question is "Yes, Sir". However, I would need notice of the details and implications of the first two parts before answering them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Great London Council, formerly the London County Council, is far from helpful in this regard, and that the London Building Regulations make it almost impossible for standard building components to be manufactured which are not out of keeping with the requirements of building in London?

That is a point of view I should find surprising.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any decision has been made about my suggestion that house building by industrial methods should be distinguished separately in the quarterly housing summaries?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to encourage speedier industrial development work in order to reduce the time lag between the completion of research and its application on a large scale in the building and construction industries.

The Building Research Station, the National Building Agency and development groups in this and other Ministries are all promoting research in this field and are publicising the results. The recently established Agrément Board has a similar function for materials and components. The Ministry is working on development projects worth £22 million.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it takes 15 to 20 years before the results of building research are applied in the building industry, and is this not far too long? Will he consider awarding development projects for industrial developments to nationalised industries and private enterprise to speed this up?

In answer to the first part of that question, one of the great difficulties in the building industry is getting information about such matters as dampness into the hands of the people who do the work. My right hon. Friend is hoping that a new information and research body will shortly get under way and will make a big impact in this sphere.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works to what extent, in imposing building controls, he took into consideration the matter of unemployment in the Portland stone industry; and if he will make a statement.

The decision to seek building control legislation was taken in the light of the general state of the construction industry, of which the Portland stone industry is a part.

If we may deduce, as I think we may, from that reply that the Ministry forgot all about the Portland stone industry, will the hon. Gentleman accept it from me that his Ministry is responsible for the grave redundancy position as a result of those controls, and will he seek to influence other contracts in the direction of Portland?

The answer to the first part of that question is "No, Sir". Indeed, I am seeing representatives of the Portland stone industry on 10th May. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not want the Ministry to influence the building industry in favour of one particular commodity.

Arising out of that reply, does the hon. Gentleman recall that the former Minister, upon taking office, said that he had inherited a generally satisfactory state of affairs in the building and construction industry?

On the specific point of the decline of the Portland stone industry, this has come about over a long period and has, I think, been due very much to a declining demand and a change of attitude towards this commodity.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proposals he has for providing lectures on the Palace of Westminster directed especially to Members and staff of both Houses.

Arrangements for lectures to Members and staff of both Houses, similar to those given last year to Palace of Westminster guides, will be made as soon as possible.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that very satisfactory reply. Will he consider enlisting the expertise, affection and skill as a raconteur of his predecessor to contribute to this scheme?

That is a very interesting suggestion and one to which I should give very careful thought.

Would not my right hon. Friend consider having conducted tours round the building to show new Members the various holes and corners that have nothing to do with them?

I will also consider that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will provide details of the repairs now being undertaken to the roof of Westminster Hall, giving the date of the erection of the scaffolding, the estimated date of completion, and the average number of workpeople employed each day on the project.

The work is treatment against death watch beetle in two of the roof trusses, involving the removal and replacement of decayed timbers. The scaffolding was erected in November, 1965, and the present work is likely to be completed towards the end of 1967. An average of three men have been employed daily.

Is the Minister aware that it is very difficult to detect any progress or any sense of urgency? Is he further aware that, as a result of the 700th anniversary of Simon de Mont-fort's Parliament, this building is visited by an increasing number of British and overseas visitors? Would it not be wise to take down the scaffolding during the tourist season and perhaps put it up again in the winter—it is quite easy—in order to show the beauty of the hall and the magnificent roof to the many people who wish to see it?

I will consider the suggestion in the latter half of that supple- mentary question. I can see some difficulties, but I will look at it. On the progress of the work, one has to consider two things: first, the great importance of restoring the features of the building absolutely correctly, and secondly, the great shortage of skilled workers who can do this work. This means that the pace is slower than many of us would like, but I do not think that any of us would like the job to be rushed in a way that would lead to a less than excellent result.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers regarding the current state of trade in the building industry; and what reply he has sent.

None, Sir.

Has the Minister read the statement of the National Federation that medium and small firms are suffering intensely in this time of restriction? Why is it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to drive small and medium firms to the wall?

I think that the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question was a gross exaggeration. In any case, we are expecting demand to increase rapidly in the next few months. I have, of course, read the recent report of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers and will be seeing representatives of that organisation and others in the industry to discuss the matter in the very near future.

But does not that same statement seem to suggest that the rather modest targets in the National Plan for building and housing will not be attained? Will the Minister take an early opportunity to make a statement to the House?

I think that to refer to the National Plan is looking at a rather longer term prospect. Of course, it is a challenge to the industry and everyone concerned, including my Ministry, to increase efficiency and productivity to meet those targets. These are the kind of matters on which I hope to have talks with representatives in the industry very soon.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what administrative machinery he will set up as the result of the transfer of some of the functions of his Department to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

As this will depend on what changes are to be made in the respective responsibilities of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and myself, and as these have not yet been announced, the hon. Gentleman's Question is hypothetical.

When will that question cease to be hypothetical? When can we expect the answer?

Very soon, I think.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to make more space available for the parking of the cars of hon. Members in the precincts of the Palace of Westminster; and why an obstruction has been placed so as to prevent cars being parked immediately inside the southern carriage gate to New Palace Yard.

I am afraid that there is no scope for providing additional car parking space within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster. I assume the hon. Member is referring, in the latter part of his Question, to the old mounting block. It was recently moved to its present place as being less obstructive than its previous position in the Yard.

Might I suggest that a very good start in providing more space would be to see that the inner courtyards are not continually blocked by Ministers' cars with chauffeurs waiting an inordinately long time for their Ministers?

I have no evidence that Ministers' cars wait for longer periods than do other Members' cars.

Would the Minister ask his officials to see whether there are not a great many cars parked in New Palace Yard that do not belong to hon. Members? If there are, would he consider whether they should not be turned out?

I will look into any complaint there may be made on that aspect. Perhaps the hon. Member would like to write to me with any detailed suggestions he may have on this point.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps are being taken to arrange for the televising of the proceedings of the House of Commons.

None, Sir.

Will the Minister make sure that if he does make any further arrangements he makes them after having had proper consultation with the House itself; otherwise this very important and desirable development will be unduly prejudiced?

The decisions on policy of this kind are for the House, and Questions on the Government's attitude towards these matters are for my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council, who has Questions on these points on the Order Paper. My officials would be responsible for some technical arrangements here, and if the occasion arose in the future would look into them very carefully along with the broadcasting companies and take account of the views of hon. Members.

Order. This is difficult. There are Questions on policy to the Lord President of the Council. Questions now must be questions purely about the Minister's own responsibility.

In so far as this matter concerns my right hon.Friend, can we have a definite assurance—and I mean a definite assurance—that nothing will be done until this House has been fully consulted?

On the only part of the policy which effects my Department—the more technical one of the kind of arrangements to be made—I certainly would like to have the views of hon.Members, and in the light of these my officials would consult the broadcasting people.

Will the Minister bear in mind that if the speeches made this weekend by the hon. Members for Poplar (Mr. Mikardo) and Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) are to be taken into account, it looks as though they want to get on television and the only way they can do so is for the House to be televised. Would the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, bear that in mind?

Will the Minister give an assurance that his Department was in no way responsible for the authorisation of colour filming and Press photography——

Order. There are Questions on the Order Paper on this matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what consideration she has given to the Report by the Food Education Society, a copy of which has been sent to her, drawing attention to malnutrition among the, elderly; what steps she will take; and if she will make a statement.

A copy of the report to which the hon. Lady refers came to hand only this morning, but my right hon. Friend will, of course, ensure that it is studied by those concerned.

Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that there is no great delay, as these elderly people, like other people, get older every day? Will he make a statement to the House immediately a decision is taken?

As the hon. Lady knows, this report is wide-ranging and calls for the attention of my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. That is why I have said that it will be studied by all those concerned.

asked the Minister of Health if the replacement of the special interim payment to dispensing chemists by a payment on account will result in a saving in the cost of the National Health Service.

No, Sir.

Will the Minister look at the prospect of entirely recasting the system of dispensing medicine under the National Health Service, especially in view of the shortage of pharmacists and the complications involved?

I should first like to see the effect of the change I am introducing, the net effect of which is to speed up the rhythm of payments to chemists. This is, of course, a system to their advantage.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to strengthen the powers of the Dunlop Committee; and how he will do this.

Legislation is necessary to introduce statutory requirements on drug safety, and will be introduced when Parliamentary time permits. Meantime a voluntary scheme is in operation, with which the professions and the industry are co-operating fully.

Will such legislation reflect the points of view put forward by my right hon. Friend during the debate on the minority Report presented to this House?

The views to which my hon. Friend refers will certainly be taken into account in preparing legislation.

As a poisonous drug is being put into our drinking water supplies, may we be told what steps will be taken by the Minister to safeguard the health of the community?

I do not accept, once again, the premises in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress he has made in his discussions with both sides of industry on the application of the Redundancy Payments Act to the shipbuilding and repair industries.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the application of the Redundancy Payments Act as it applies to employees in the ship-repairing industry.

It was recognised when the Redundancy Payments Act was passed that because of special circumstances in particular industries it might be difficult for employees to acquire the minimum service with one employer to qualify for a redundancy payment. My right hon. Friend therefore discussed the application of the Act to shipbuilding and ship-repairing with both sides of the industry on 8th March. They have since embarked on joint discussions and will report to my right hon. Friend in due course.

First, may I ask my hon. Friend to accept our congratulations on her appointment. Secondly, will she note that these discussions have a very close bearing on the whole programme for the possible reorganisation and modernisation of the shipbuilding industry and press on as rapidly as possible with these discussions?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the importance of this matter as part of the modernisation of the shipbuilding industry.

Can the hon. Lady explain, in view of the importance of this matter, why the discussions did not take place before the Act was passed? Can she give any indication of how much longer the men concerned, as well as the employers, will have to wait before they know what their rights are under the Act?

Under the Redundancy Payments Act, Section 11, provision was made for industries with particular problems such as the shipbuilding industry. In answer to the second part of the supplementary question, the introduction of the guaranteed week has meant that there are additional complications which the Ministry and both sides of the industry have had to consider in drawing up a local scheme.

Does the Minister realise that this problem is of the utmost importance to British shipbuilders, having regard to the way in which Japanese and other foreign nations compete with our shipbuilders? Will she give special attention to this problem from that point of view in order to preserve the British shipbuilding industry?

Yes, we are well aware of the importance of this matter.

Is the hon. Lady considering this working in the dockyards as a whole, including Her Majesty's dockyards?

The discussions at the moment apply strictly to the shipbuilding industry, but I will bear in mind the point made by the hon. Lady.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will issue a statement showing week by week since they started operations the number of determinations of the rent officers, in London and in other areas, stating how many rents have been reduced, increased or kept the same, the numbers of applications for rent changes outstanding, the numbers submitted to the rent assessment committees, the totals of the above weekly figures, and an approximate average of the original rents and of the rents agreed upon and registered.

With permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL, REPORT. As regards rent levels, there have not yet been sufficient determinations by rent assessment committees to enable meaningful comparisons to be made.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of us were appalled by the first four decisions of the rent assessment committees sharply increasing the figures fixed by the rent officer, and, in two cases of a very ordinary flat, placing £10 a week including rates on it? It is not clear that they are not excluding the shortage factor which the Act says must be ignored and which accounts for all this housing exploitation?

I have no reason to suppose that the rent assessment committees ignore the provisions of the Act. I think the number of determinations is too few for one to obtain any clear measure of what is happening.

Could the hon. Gentleman think of some way of keeping us informed regularly of the figures asked for by the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) in this Question, perhaps on a monthly basis or even on a quarterly basis?

We certainly hope to be able to supply fairly frequently figures relating to what is happening.

Will my hon. Friend look at some of the extraordinary decisions which have been made by the rent officers in the London Borough of Lambeth where exorbitant rents are being fixed at levels much higher than landlords themselves have asked for in the first instance? Does not this completely defeat the object for which we thought we were putting this Act on the Statute Book?

If, as my hon. Friend says, these are determinations of the rent officers, no doubt he will advise his constituents to see that they appeal to the rent assessment committees.

Does my hon. Friend observe that the Question includes the words "other areas", and will he therefore give the relevant figures for Scotland as well as for England?

I think it would be more than my life was worth to give any figures for Scotland.

Does not this Act of Parliament bring out what a number of us have been saying for some time, that some of the rents in London have been fixed unrealistically low and that it is quite right that they should be brought to a proper level?

I say to the hon. Gentleman as I do to my hon. Friends that I think it is too early to try to give a quick generalisation about this situation. I think we should watch the position to see what is happening. It is comforting to see that decisions are going both ways and that landlords as well as tenants are getting unsatisfactory decisions. That may happen when we are reaching a balance.

Can my hon. Friend say whether, under the Act or under the Regulations made under the Act, there is any obligation on these committees to give reasons for the decisions at which they arrive? If there is no such obligation, would it not be a sensible and practical amendment of the law to provide that they should be obliged to give these

I think that this is controlled by the procedures which are laid down by the president of the panel in each case. So far as I know, there is every intention to supply the fullest information that can be given about what is happening in relation to these decisions.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment.