§ 45. Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the fact that the Census of England and Wales for 1911 shows that the number of persons employed in building and works of construction had fallen to 946,127 from 1,042,864 in 1901, a decrease of 9.3 per cent. in the ten years, and that this decline is confirmed by a considerable 1705 fall in the number of persons employed in brick-making and by the returns of books taken out under the Unemployment Section of the National Insurance Act; if he is aware that in 1911 the number of private dwelling-houses under erection was 38,178 against 61,909 in 1901, and that, at the present rate of new building construction, many generations must elapse before the dwelling-houses of England and Wales, the majority of which need to be replaced will be rebuilt; and, if, in view of these considerations, he can promise for the next Session of Parliament a much more active housing policy than has so far been announced by His Majesty's Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no reason to doubt the statistics given by my hon. Friend, but I must not be held as agreeing to all the inferences he draws from them. As regards the latter part of the question, I cannot at present give any pledge with regard to the business of next Session.
§ Mr. PRETYMANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he now realises what was the result of the Land Tax?
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYThese figures are down to 1911, when, as a matter of fact, the Land Taxes were not in operation.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time for arguing a matter of this sort.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMI have a question to put—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe must really pass on. There are a great many questions.