81. Mr. GIDEON MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland what arrangements are being made in Scotland to en sure a sufficiency of labour for the purpose of erecting houses under the Government housing schemes; whether he will give an outline of any such arrangements; and whether, in view of the necessity to expedite these housing schemes, the Government will consider the desirability of approaching the trade unions connected with the building trades with the object of arranging to utilise much labour, both male and female, at present in receipt of unemployment benefits?
§ The MINISTER Of LABOUR (Sir R. Horne)I have been asked to reply to this question. Arrangements have been made between the Local Government Board for Scotland and the Edinburgh Divisional Office of the Ministry of Labour under which the latter is kept informed of all housing schemes which the local authorities in Scotland are in a position to put in hand. The Employment Council and the local employment committee have invited all local authorities to notify their labour requirements to the Employment Exchanges, in order that the latter may utilise the services of any available workpeople on their registers. The general question of the supply of labour for building is being carefully considered in consultation with the other Departments concerned and with bodies representative of the building industry.
Mr. MURRAYHas the right hon. Gentleman actually approached the building trades and the trade unions of the building trades?
§ Sir R. HORNEYes. I have already had conferences with representatives of the building trades, and other conferences are taking place.
§ Mr. BILLINGDoes that also apply to England as well as Scotland?
§ Sir R. HORNEYes. The building trades who have met officers of my Department have been representative of all parts of the country.
82. Mr. MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland what arrangements are being made to ensure an early and sufficient supply of the different classes of materials necessary for the Government housing schemes; whether he will furnish details of any such arrangements; and whether all encouragement is being given to private enterprise in the provision of the necessary materials?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)I am sending my hon. Friend copies of a Circular and enclosures issued to local authorities on 16th instant by the Local Government Board for Scotland, which give full details of the arrangements made, I am informed by the Department of Buildings Material Supply that encouragement is given to manufacturers to increase their output of materials by giving orders in advance of manufacture, by making liberal payments on account, and by offering help in obtaining coal, machinery, transport, and labour.
83. Mr. MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland what steps the Treasury proposes to take to assist the local authorities in Scotland to arrange the loans necessary for the purpose of erecting houses under the Government housing schemes?
§ Mr. BALDWINLocal authorities with a rateable value under £200,000 can borrow from the Public Works Loans Commissioners for this purpose. Larger authorities must raise the necessary loans in the open market, and the Treasury has already undertaken to assist them by granting a very substantial subsidy towards any loss on housing schemes. Having regard to the very heavy burdens falling on the Treasury in connection with existing short-term 615 loans, it cannot also undertake to raise loan capital for the local authorities at the present time.
§ Mr. BALDWINI will inquire into that.
Mr. MURRAYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is at least one local authority in Scotland that has been unable to raise a loan for this purpose?
§ Mr. BALDWINI can believe that.