§ 65. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is still a shortage of plasterers in the building trade; whether there is any difficulty placed in the way of men becoming plasterers and what steps have been taken to secure that an adequate number of plasterers will he available to meet the increased demand when the Government's housing scheme is fully in operation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSo far as I am aware, there is not at present any shortage of plasterers in the building trade, or any special difficulty in the way of recruiting men for this branch of the building industry. I understand, however, that the proportion of plasterers to other tradesmen is less than would be required to effect, a proper balance in the house building trade, but I hope that this want of balance will repair itself as demand increases.
§ Mr. McENTEEWill the right hon. Gentleman take the trouble to find out 2041 how many shareholders in the various building companies are described as gentlemen living on their means, and will he put some of these idle people into training as plasterers?
§ Sir W. DAVISONAm I to understand then that there is no difficulty at all in a person learning the trade of a plasterer, if he so desire?