asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the quantities of: (a) timber, (b) bricks, (c) cement, (d) slates or tiles, and (e) rain-water goods now available for the purposes of the building trades; the quantities of those commodities produced or imported, during the 12 months; and what steps are being taken to prevent the supply of building materials being diverted for the purpose of luxury building or other nonessential purposes.

It is not possible to give in terms of quantities the information the Deputy has asked for, but the materials mentioned are available in sufficient quantity for the amount of building work permitted. The restrictions placed on building activity through the operations of the Control of Building Order and the Control of Timber Orders secure that the demand for building materials is kept within the limits of the supplies available, and that scarce materials are not diverted to what are called luxury buildings.

The most recent information available concerning the quantities of building materials which are produced and imported will be circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the information:—

PRODUCTION.

The following table shows the estimated production in the year ended 30th September, 1947, of such of the commodities mentioned as are included in the quarterly inquiry into volume of production of industries producing transportable goods. The figures, which are based on a sample inquiry, are preliminary and subject to amendment on the publication of the definitive figures of the census of industrial production.

IMPORTS.

Imports of Timber (suitable for building purposes), Bricks, Cement, Slates and Tiles, and Rainwater Goods during the twelve months October, 1946 — September, 1947.