86. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the total number of men now employed upon the erection of houses for local authorities by the various schemes sanctioned under the provisions of The Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, and the maximum number previously so employed at any one time?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS (Parliamentary Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)On 1st February, 1923, there were 18,470 men employed on State assisted housing schemes-of local authorities under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919. Statistics of the number of men employed on other housing work are not available. The maximum number employed on assisted schemes was in July, 1921, when the number was 149,854.
Mr. THOMSONArising out of that very big reduction in the number of men employed on building houses, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Prime Minister as to the necessity of introducing the Housing Bill at the earliest possible moment, so that these men may be employed?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI hardly think that is necessary. The Prime Minister is quite well aware of the position.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNot long.