British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 815

CHAPTER XVIII.

STEEL,.

71. The supply position of steel, with the exception of structural steel of small section, steel pipes and of sheets of 1/8" thickness and under, is fair and likely to become 'easier in the near future. Steel sheets under 1/8" thickness, pipes and wire rods are at present difficult to obtain and the position regarding steel angles and tees, l 1/2 and under, is little if any better.

CEMENT

72. Up to the present the output of cement during 1945 has been of the order of 16,000-17,000 tons a month against civil and Service demands of nearly twice that amount. At present the Services are allotted 4,000 tons a month (against demands of 18,000 tons) and the balance is imported from Egypt. It is hoped that in the immediate future it may be possible to increase the output of cement to 20,000 tons a month. This will, however, depend upon the immediate supply of coal (anthracite-breakerduff).

LOCALLY MANUFACTURED BRICKS, BLOCKS AND TILES.

73. Silicate bricks are produced at three factories in Palestine the combined annual output of which (3,750,000) is much below the present demand. Burned bricks, partition blocks and tiles are also produced at two local factories but prices are vet» high and the radius of economic supply of the factories is small. BLASTING MATERIALS.

74. Owing to the restrictions which have been necessitated by reasons of public security upon the use of high explosives for blasting purposes, the supply of quarried materials may be expected to become more difficult.

ELECTRIC CABLES AND INSTALLATION Materials.

75. Imported electric cables and wire still present considerable difficulties, but a V.R.R. cable, insulated with vulcanized reclaimed rubber, is being manufactured locally to comply with the British standard (temporary wartime) specification and, although high in price, it meets the present needs. Electrical fittings locally manufactured from plastic materials are high in price and not entirely satisfactory in quality but this production fills the gap between local demand and supply from overseas.

LOCALLY MANUFACTURED BUILDING SUPPLIES.

76. The Controller of Heavy Industries and Director of War Production has initiated the manufacture of a number of standardised building products under mass production conditions, of which the following are the most important :

Windows and frames. Doors and door frames. Locks and lock furniture.

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