§ 72. Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the serious shortage of labour in the building industry throughout the country, and especially in the area covered by the Newcastle-on-Tyne Building Trade Association; whether he is aware of the proposal to erect a largo building for use as a pensions offfice in Newcastle-on-Tyne; and whether, in view of the hardships inflicted upon the whole people by the pressing housing problem, he will take immediate steps so that work on this and all similar buildings is suspended until the housing needs of the community are adequately met?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)I am not aware of any special shortage of labour in the area referred to apart from the rest of the country. I regret that the erection of the building in question, which is urgently required by the Ministry of Pensions, cannot be postponed as the existing staff is housed in hotel premises, which must and should be surrendered as soon as possible, and no other suitable premises are available. I fully appreciate the difficulties as to housing, and my Department has already restricted its building to works of pressing urgency.
Mr. DOYLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the intensity of feeling in the country with regard to the shortage of houses, and will he now see that it shall be the policy of the Government to suspend all unnecessary building operations on Government buildings of any class until the needs of the community have been supplied?
§ Sir A. MONDI am fully aware of the feeling in the country on the housing question. But there is also intense feeling about the retention of commandeered premises. These premises have to be surrendered and the staff must be housed somewhere.
Mr. DOYLEWhat is the real necessity for putting up this enormous building at such enormous expense at Newcastle-on-Tyne at the present time when nobody wants it?
§ Sir A. MONDIt is needed for the staff of the Pensions Ministry. If the staff is not housed no pensions can be paid.
Mr. DOYLEBut is not the staff already adequately housed? Will it suffer any unnecessary inconvenience if this building is delayed until the needs of the community have been supplied?
§ Sir A. MONDThe hon. Member could not have listened to my answer. The staff is now housed in commandeered hotel premises, which have to be surrendered and alternative premises must be found.
§ Mr. BILLINGWhy must these premises be surrendered? Is it not the fact that a great many premises have not been surrendered? Before entering into such building operations, will not the right hon. Gentleman consult the Minister of Health?
§ Sir A. MONDI shall be very pleased to consult my right hon. Friend. But the great complaint against my Department is one of not surrendering commandeered buildings.