17. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour the total number of men in the building trades who are at present out of work; the number unemployed in each branch of the industry; and the percentage so unemployed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs the reply is somewhat lengthy, I will, with the consent of my hon. and gallant Friend, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I might mention that the highest percentage of unemployment is amongst the labourers (over 22.0) and the lowest is amongst the plasterers (3.9).
Mr. THOMSONIn view of the large percentage of 22, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the position so as to allow the Committee to make grants from the unemployed fund for building houses, so that these men could be employed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe 22 per cent. are labourers. Can they build houses?
§ Following is the promised statement:
§ On 22nd May, 1922, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers 1205 and percentages unemployed in the building trades of Great Britain were as follows:
| Number Unemployed. | Percentage Unemployed. | |
| Carpenters | 11,562 | 8.7 |
| Bricklayers | 6,334 | 10.2 |
| Masons | 2,421 | 10.2 |
| Slaters | 546 | 10.1 |
| Plasterers | 676 | 3.9 |
| Painters | 10,648 | 9.2 |
| Plumbers | 3,539 | 9.9 |
| Other skilled workers | 5,824 | 21.9 |
| Labourers | 74,462 | |
| Total building trades | 116,012 | 15.3 |