§ 40. Major PRESCOTTasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the engineer and surveyor of the Tottenham Urban District Council reported to the Local Housing Committee, at its meeting on the 1st March, 1921, that he was not satisfied with the work of the bricklayers engaged in the erection of houses by direct labour on the Coombes Croft housing estate at Tottenham, that the men were specially given some straightforward work, and the result showed that the average number of bricks laid per man was only 272 per day; "whether these facts were communicated to the Ministry by the Housing Commissioner; and what action was taken in the matter to protect the public purse?
Sir A. MONOI understand that the facts are that some additional bricklayers were started on some work; that the output of work by these men proved very unsatisfactory; and that the local authority's engineer dismissed the men on his own responsibility, and reported the matter to the council.
§ Major PRESCOTTHas the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to issue instructions to the Housing Commission to inform the Bricklayers' Society that the laying of an inadequate number of bricks means a largely increased rent to the working classes who will occupy those houses?
§ Sir A. MONDI will consider that suggestion.
Colonel NEWMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the scheme of direct labour every brick laid costs Is.?
§ Sir A. MONDI do not know how my hon. and gallant Friend arrives at that figure.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in pre-War days 900 bricks per day were laid on straightforward work, that the general cost is now four times more than in pre-War days, and that the cost of building houses is now 10 and 12 times more than it should be?
§ Major PRESCOTTCan the right hon. Gentleman say what in his opinion is the average number of bricks which should be laid per day?
§ Sir A. MONDI do not think that I should be asked to answer that question.