asked the Prime Minister which Department is responsible for the building industry being unable to obtain, in appropriate time, the needed cast-iron gutters, pipes, wall ties and other metal products.

I have been asked to reply. The Ministry of Supply is responsible for production and the Ministry of Works for distribution. The difficulties being experienced by the building industry in this field are due mainly to the inadequacy of labour in the factories and foundries. Limited quantities of substitutes for gutters and pipes are available and these should be used where possible.

Is the Minister aware that the absence of these articles is seriously holding up the housing programme, and at a time like this I am sure everybody would like to see that expedited as much as possible?

The Ministers are aware of the problem. In the factories and foundries where these things are produced, labour shortage makes it difficult at the moment to increase the output

Is the Minister aware that there are controls and tolerances on certain of these articles which are unnecessary, and are carried to a ridiculous extent?

If my hon. Friend will acquaint me with particulars, I will have the matter investigated.

Is the Minister aware that if foundries were put under schemes of mechanisation, these very necessary articles could be turned out very quickly in spite of the shortage of labour?

Delay in mechanisation is very largely due to shortage of material and labour.

Mr. Vane:

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what are the substitutes to which he has referred?

I am not aware myself, because I am not the Minister directly responsible for production. That is a question which could properly be put to the Minister of Supply.

Would the Minister describe this as "chicken feed"?

How can the right hon. Gentleman say that the Minister of Works is solely responsible for distribution when, owing to the goods traffic ban in the Eastern area, at any rate, goods have been arriving late at their eventual destinations? Will he say the manner in which effort is to be made to overcome that difficulty?

If there are cases of that kind and difficulties are due to transport, certainly we will have them investigated. I was asked what Department was responsible for this. There are two—one for production and the other for distribution. The Ministry of Transport and clearly the ordinary hauliers are the agents of the Ministry of Works for this purpose