An Imperial brick typically measures 225mm by 110mm by 65mm (or up to 70 or 80 in the north of England) from the pictures Looks about 75 ish to me .. Iam guessing you ment perp as in perpendicular joint .. not prep .. And yes it's mortar and not cement .. But it was trying to write it in...
first ill address the outside level .. Yes the outside paved area / paths are way to high, should be at least 150mm from the damp course to the path surface.. ( damp course is bed joint under the air brick ) 150mm is about two bricks plus bed joint (The bed joint being the bed of cement...