§ 68. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Health the average number of bricks which can be laid by a fully competent bricklayer, working piece-work or for himself, in a day of eight hours fine weather; the average number laid per man on Government housing schemes; to what he attributes the disparity, if any; and what steps he is taking to remove it?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI am unable to say what number of bricks can be laid in a day by a bricklayer working piece-work. It will 'be appreciated that the number of bricks laid will vary considerably with the class of work upon which the bricklayer may be engaged. There are no records available which would enable me to give reliable figures as to average number of bricks laid per man upon Government housing schemes.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know very well that in the work required in connection with the small Government houses it is only at the chimneys and the corners where there is any difficulty at all, and that it is perfectly plain sailing otherwise?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI am also aware that there are some men who could not lay the bricks for these houses.
Viscountess ASTORIs it not true that some bricklayers can lay more bricks than others, and is the Minister encouraging those who can lay more bricks or is he encouraging those who cannot?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the inauguration of bricklaying competitions such as are held in the United States?