HC Deb 16 March 1927 vol 203 cc1994-5
37. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

asked the Minister of Labour the number of bricklayers employed in 1913; the number employed at the present time; the output of bricks in this country in 1913; and the rate of annual output at the present time?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

It is estimated that in 1913 there were in Great Britain 69,000 bricklayers in the building industry within the scheme of unemployment insurance, of whom 5,760 were recorded as unemployed at 21st February, 1913; as compared with 71,090 insured at July, 1926, of whom 3,145 were recorded as unemployed at 21st February, 1927. It is estimated that the output of bricks in Great Britain during the last 12 months was about 6,000 millions as compared with something in the neighbourhood of 3,500 millions in 1913.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what proportion of the bricklayers are now engaged on new construction and what proportion on repairs, and give the comparable figures?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

No, Sir.

Mr. SHEPHERD

Why is it that with this huge production of bricks, the price has not gone down?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I cannot say that, any more than can I say why with the increased production of houses prices have not gone down.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is it not because of the big demand that the price has not gone down?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Every Member is a good enough economist to put his own construction on the figures.

Mr. THORNE

The law of supply and demand, always.

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