31. Dr. DRUMMOND SHEILSasked the Secretary for Scotland whether a, tender has been accepted for a number of Weir houses in or near Cupar, Fifeshire; if so, what number has been ordered and what price per house has been approved by the Board of Health; and whether the labour difficulties in connection with the erection of the Weir type house have been overcome to allow these houses to be erected?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIn reply to the first two parts of the question, I understand that the town council of Cupar Burgh have under consideration a tender for 38 Weir houses but that the tender has not yet been accepted. The question of the Board's approval has not therefore arisen. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand that any difficulty in connection with the erection of Weir houses has usually occurred when 2027 operatives engaged on ordinary building schemes in the area of the authority have struck or threatened to strike in order to induce the discontinuance of this new method. So far as I am aware this difficulty would not arise in Cupar.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIs it not true that the position of the building trade unions is that the men can be engaged on that work providing they are employed under trade union conditions?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Government have repeatedly stated that they adhere to the Report of the Committee which investigated this matter, and which rules this question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Secretary for Scotland not aware that last Thursday the Glasgow Town Council received a deputation from the building trade appealing to the Council to do something to employ the men engaged in the building trade who are idle in and around the West of Scotland?