asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware of the shortage and long delivery periods in the supply of building materials to building construction sites in Swansea; and, in view of the fact that these shortages and long delivery periods are creating a fear of unemployment among building trades operatives in Swansea, whether he will take action to remedy this situation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Alan Williams) on 14th December.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the local authority position, which I ascertained this morning, is that ordinary bricks are in short supply; that facing bricks take five months from the date of order to the date of piecemeal delivery; that the waiting time for plaster board is six months; that cement takes a week to ten days for delivery, and that copper piping is bought as and when it can be? Will my right hon. Friend look into this matter and do all he can to expedite the supply of materials, with a view to ensuring the provision of homes as well as safeguarding the employment prospects of building operatives?

I have looked into all those matters, but the difficulties in Swansea are a reflection of the general difficulties with regard to certain building materials. I am in touch with the manufacturers of these materials, who are taking steps to increase supplies. The demand for building craftsmen is so high that I do not think there are serious grounds for fearing unemployment.