Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALL:

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the average number of bricks laid by a bricklayer in this country prior to the War and at the present time in Great Britain and the United States, respectively; if he is aware that certain of the principal trade unions in the building trade have placed a limitation on the output of their members; if this policy is partly responsible for causing the delay in carrying out the national housing policy that is so urgently called for and increasing the cost of providing houses to an extent which makes it difficult for the local authorities concerned to provide adequate housing accommodation; and if he will state what action the Government are taking to secure the measure of production by the workpeople concerned if the housing problem is to be solved with due expedition and reasonable economy?

Every effort has been made to obtain information as to the number of bricks laid prior and since the War, but so far I have been unable to obtain figures for whose accuracy I could vouch.

Sir F. HALL:

If it is not possible to-obtain information from the United State can the hon. Gentleman give the information as to the number of bricks laid in prewar days in this country and the number of bricks laid to-day?

Perhaps the hon. Member can find out.

It is impossible to get the information at present, but we arcs doing our best.

Has the hon. Member made inquiries of any building contractors, and is he aware that any building contractor can furnish the information?

I am quite sure that no building contractor can furnish the information for the particulars in different parts of the country arc quite different.

Sir F. HALL:

Are we to understand that it is inadvisable for the Government' to give the information?

Certainly not.

Mr. J. JONES:

Could the inquiry be extended to the poultry farmers, to see how many eggs arc being laid to-day?

If a larger amount is paid to the men in this country, do they not expect results commensurate with that payment?

Perhaps that has something to do with it.