Building Materials After the War

Progress, Volume XIII, Issue 6, 1 February 1918, Page 136

Building Materials After the War

The Minister of Reconstruction, after consultation with the President of the Local Government Board and the Secretary for Scotland, has appointed a committee to consider and report on the question of the supply of building materials after the war. The terms of reference are as follow: — (1) To inquire into the extent of the probable demand for building material for all purposes which will arise in this country during the tansition period, and the extent of the available supply and form of such material.

12) To enquire how far the quantities of material now available are capable of increase, what are the difficulties in increasing them, and how these difficulties can be removed; and to report to what extent an increase in production will affect the price of the materials. (3) In the event of the supply of material or labour being insufficient to fulfil the total building demand, to consider the principles and method by which the priority of various claims should be settled" ami to report what steps are necessary to ensure that the manufacture of the materials, so far as they arc at present inadequate, shall be extended in time to secure sufficient quantities for use when required on the cessation of hostilities; and to recommend what steps should be taken during the Avar to facilitate a prompt commencement of building work at that time. (41 Generally to consider and report upon any conditions affecting the building trades which tend to cause unduly high prices, and to make recommendations in regard to any measure of control which it may be desirable to exercise over the charges, production, transport, or distribution of material.