HC Deb 05 May 1920 vol 128 cc2059-61
59 Viscount CURZ0N

asked whether the construction of houses and buildings for the Government, or in which the Government are interested, are being directly impeded by the action of trade unions or by labour disputes; if so, to what extent; what is the average wage of a bricklayer to-day and what was the similar figure for 1914; what is the average number of bricks laid per bricklayer to-day and what was the figure for 1914; whether the building trades unions are permitting the employment of ex-service men; if so, to what extent; and how many of the unemployed ex-service men now in receipt of unemployment donation could be employed if the trades unions were to relax their restrictions?

Dr. ADDISON

A number of disputes have arisen which have led to a stoppage of work in the housing schemes, but I am hopeful that the arrangements now being made with the unions and other organisations concerned will minimise, if not altogether remove, this difficulty in the future. The construction of houses is being gravely delayed by a shortage of labour. The shortages of skilled building labour notified to us in houses now under construction during the last week in March was 8,378. I understand that the trade unions concerned are not prepared to assent at present to the employment of ex-service men in their trades who were not formerly apprentices, except in the case of a certain percentage of disabled men. I have no information as to the number of ex-service men now unemployed, and in receipt of unemployment donation who could be employed upon housing schemes if the objections were removed, but there can be no doubt that there would be a substantial number. The rates of wages vary in different districts from about 1s. 3d. per hour up to 2s. 4d. per hour, the corresponding range in 1914 being from 7d. to 11½d. per hour.

Captain TERRELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question dealing with the number of bricks laid per bricklayer to-day, and the number they used to lay in 1914?

Dr. ADDISON

I am sorry to say I have no precise figures as to the number which were laid in 1914.

Mr. W. THORNE

Nobody has.

Dr. ADDISON

We have a large number of records of the number being laid now. Substantially, I may say, they vary from about 300 to 700.

Mr. J. JONES

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us the number of silly questions an hon. Member may ask?

Sir R. THOMAS

Is not the main cause of delay in the construction of these houses the high cost of materials?

Dr. ADDISON

The fact that there were 8,300 men short the last week in March shows that there must be delay.

Sir R. THOMAS

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are several schemes now held up owing to the high cost of building materials?

Mr. PALMER

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make one more appeal to the humanity and patriotism of trade unions on behalf of ex-service men?

Mr. J. JONES

What about the patriotism of journalists who stopped at home talking while other men were fighting, and made money out of it?

Mr. H0PKINS0N

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is perfectly easy to employ discharged soldiers, as I have been doing for months, working on the same jobs as trade unionists at the same trades, if the employers have got the pluck to do it?

Dr. ADDISON

I certainly think the idea that it takes years to train a man to lay a few bricks is all nonsense.

Several HON. MEMBERS

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

Hon. Members had better renew the Debate some other day.