HC Deb 10 March 1920 vol 126 cc1264-5
57. Mr. T. A. LEWIS

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an approximate estimate of the number of unskilled men required in the building trade at the presen moment?

Dr. ADDISON

I am not in a position to give an estimate as to the number of unskilled workers required in the building trade as a whole. As regards the erection of working-class houses, assuming that 200,000 houses are built per year, I estimate that the total number of unskilled workers required is approximately 172,500. At the present time the shortage is of skilled workers. We were, for instance, in the week ending February 28th, short of 2,149 skilled workers on houses now under construction.

Mr. W. THORNE

Can the right hon. Gentleman state a single case where the building of either factory, workshop, or ordinary house is stopped for want of unskilled labour; and is it not a fact that if you are in a position to get skilled labour, it is very easy to get unskilled labour?

Dr. ADDISON

Yes, my information confirms that. We are not held up by lack of unskilled labour; it is skilled labour we are short of.

Mr. J. F. GREEN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has received any reply from the authorities of the Trade Union Congress to the suggestion that I understood he made that he should address the Congress on this subject?

Dr. ADDISON

I regret to say that the authorities of the Trade Union Congress have not yet fixed a date for me to see them.

Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of skilled bricklayers, having migrated to other trades, are remaining in those trades; and is the Ministry intending to take any steps to bring them back to their original occupation?

Dr. ADDISON

My right hon. Friend questions the accuracy of that statement, but we have been exploring all possible means of improving the situation with the best good will for a long time past, and I am looking to the skilled trades concerned to give some real help in the matter.

Mr. SHORT

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any skilled men still in the Army; and, if so, has he made representations to the Secretary of State for War?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.