HC Deb 18 June 1924 vol 174 cc2116-7
69. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the comparative figures of skilled workers in the building trade in 1901, 1913 and 1924, respectively?

Mr. WHEATLEY

As the answer includes a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The reply is as follows:

Complete information is not available as to the number of skilled workers in the building trade in 1913 and 1924, but the following table gives particulars in regard to the principal occupations for 1901, 1911 and 1923:—
Occupation. Number of skilled men employed in the building trade in England and Wales.
Census 1901. Census 1911. October, 1923.*
Bricklayers 109,160 92,312 53,630
Carpenters and Joiners 243,075 176,978 106,880
Plasterers 27,544 21,230 13,910
Slaters 8,461 6,946 2,880
Masons 65,129 42,896 16,580
Painters, Decorators, etc. 143,150† 154,929 97,480
Plumbers, Gasfitters, Glaziers, etc. 68,562† 70,303 28,430
* The figures for 1923 represent the numbers of insured workpeople working for employers and consequently they are not strictly comparable with the Census figures.
† In the Census for 1901 the figures for glaziers are included with painters.