§ 60. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the great shortage of bricklayers and plasterers throughout the country, whereby building operations are hampered and in some cases stopped and unemployment caused; and what steps are being taken to increase the number of bricklayers and plasterers and secure increased facilities for the training of apprentices?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware that there is some evidence of a scarcity of bricklayers and plasterers, although this hardly amounts to a great shortage. The question of the provision of a sufficient supply of skilled workers in the building trade is one in the first place for the employers' and workers' organisations to consider and I have no doubt that those organisations have the matter in mind.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWould it not be well for the right hon. Gentleman to satisfy himself whether full facilities are given to young men who desire to be trained as apprentices in these occupations, seeing that they are so much wanted at the present time?
§ Mr. MARCHCannot the right hon. Gentleman ask the Minister of Labour for a record of these people who are signing on as unemployed? I saw a list not long back of 200.