asked the Minister of Works what was the cost of the last purchase of Belgian bricks by his Department; what was the cost of haulage to Darlington from the unloading port; and what was the percentage of wastage.

The estimated average cost of Belgian bricks, unloaded at United Kingdom port, is £8 per 1000. The supplies for Darlington were unloaded at Stockton-on-Tees, and the haulage cost of 391,000 bricks was £351 18s. od. at the rate of 18s. per 1,000. This is the rate for deliveries of home-produced bricks from works in that area over a similar distance, and is in accordance with the rates laid down in the Bricks (Range of Prices) Orders. Precise information as to wastage is not available, but I am advised that it was negligible.

Which Department pays the difference in price between the additional cost of Belgian bricks and bricks produced in this country?

It would come out of the Votes of the Ministry.

As Belgian bricks cost £,8 per thousand and home produced bricks £5 per thousand, why not concentrate upon more production here?

We have been concentrating upon making more bricks, and we have succeeded in doing it. These bricks were purchased at a time of dire necessity to supplement the number of bricks produced here.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many British brickyards are not yet in operation?

Not without notice, but number in production is greater than it was a short time ago.