HC Deb 06 August 1924 vol 176 cc2904-6
26. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Minister of Health if the demands of the building operatives are conceded, what it is estimated will be the extra cost, respectively, of a parlour and non-parlour house built under the State-assisted housing schemes?

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Wheatley)

The demands of the operatives are not uniform throughout the country, but where the demand is for ½d. an hour, it is estimated that the average increase in cost of a workmen's house entailed thereby would be about £4. As regards the further demand for payment for lost time, sufficient information is not at present available to enable an estimate to be given.

Sir K. WOOD

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into account the demand in regard to hours, and does he not think that will have a serious effect upon his scheme?

Mr. WHEATLEY

I have tried to give all the information I have.

HON. MEMBERS

Order, order!

Sir B. FALLE

On a point of Order. A newspaper is being read on the Front Bench.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALL

Can we be told what newspaper it is that the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Webb) is reading?

Mr. W. THORNE

The "Daily Mail." [HON. MEMBERS " Daily Herald! "]

28. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Minister of Health whether any local authorities have, in respect of their housing contracts, conceded the terms demanded by the building operatives in the present dispute; and what action he is taking in the matter?

Mr. WHEATLEY

The terms of engagement of building trade operatives would primarily be a matter between the operatives and contractors concerned, and I have no knowledge whether, in connection with a contract for a local authority's housing scheme, the claims put forward by the operatives have been conceded. As I informed the hon. Member on the 16th instant, I propose to take no steps favouring one side or the other in the dispute.

Sir K. WOOD

Inasmuch as the central authority is already doing this, would the right hon. Gentleman make some com- munication to them in order that there may be some definite understanding amongst the authorities up and down the country?

Mr. BECKER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he agrees with the terms of the men's demands?

Mr. J. JONES

Yes. Why not?