74. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Health if he can state the average number of bricks laid by a bricklayer in this country prior to the War and at the present time in Great Britain and the United States, respectively; if he is aware that certain of the principal trade unions in the building trade have placed a limitation on the output of their members; if this policy is partly responsible for causing the delay in carrying out the national housing policy that is so urgently called for and increasing the cost of providing houses to an extent which makes it difficult for the local authorities concerned to provide adequate housing accommodation; and if he will state what action the Government are taking to secure the measure of production by the workpeople concerned if the housing problem is to be solved with due expedition and reasonable economy?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir R Horne)I have been asked to reply to this question. Exact information as to 2016 the average number of bricks laid by a bricklayer prior to the War and at the present time in this country and the United States is not available, but I shall try to get it and thereafter communicate with the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I have no reliable information that any of the trade unions in the building trade have placed a limitation on the output of their members. It is obvious, however, that if the housing schemes are to be carried out with the necessary rapidity and without imposing undue cost upon the nation, any limitation of output must be avoided. The question of an adequate supply of labour for housing schemes is being dealt with, and is at present being considered by the Building Resettlement Committee, which is a Sub-committee of the Industrial Council for the Building Trade.
Sir F. HALLIf I put down a question for this day week, does the right hon. Gentleman think he will be able to answer it?
§ Sir R. HORNEI think that I could probably answer it with regard to the English building trade, but the comparison with the United States is more difficult, because, obviously, a great many factors enter into the calculation which we do not understand.
§ Sir R. HORNEI will do my best.
§ Mr. CLYNESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the principal trade-unions repudiate ever having passed any resolution or come to any arrangement or made any rule imposing any limitation on the work of their members?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have said so. I am not aware that any trade union has passed any such resolution as is indicated.
Sir F. HALLIf the right hon. Gentleman finds a tremendous difference in the number of bricks laid now per day as compared with the pre-war period, will he inquire into the reasons of that difference?
Mr. J. JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire what bricklayer is so lazy as this House is in carrying out its promises?