§ MR. BRODIETo ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, 746 in view of the depressed state of the building trade, and the probability of its not being in a normal condition, although it is improving, by next winter, he will have a schedule drawn up stating all municipal works which are at present under consideration, and endeavour to arrange for some scheme by which a proportion may be started in the various districts of the country at regular intervals.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I appreciate the object which my hon. friend has in view, but I am afraid that it would not be practicable to arrange a scheme of the kind suggested in the Question. The time for starting particular works must, I think, be left entirely to the local authorities by whom they are undertaken. I believe, however, that there is a growing tendency on the part of the larger local authorities to afford as much continuous employment as possible; and, consistently with the economic and efficient carrying out of works, the Local Government Board would desire to encourage this.