HC Deb 25 February 1929 vol 225 cc1561-2
38. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many men are employed by the Office of Works; how does this figure compare with the same or near date last year; and what useful works of national importance has His Majesty's Office of Works initiated during the last few months in order to provide employment?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Vivian Henderson)

No figures are available of the number of men employed by contractors working for the Office of Works. If the hon. and gallant Member's question refers to industrial staff, 3,103 were employed on 1st January, 1928, and 3,047 on 1st January, 1929. Early in January, however, certain relief works were beginning in the Royal Parks, to give temporary employment to about 700 additional men, of which number about 600 have a] ready been engaged.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can the hon and gallant Gentleman say whether his Noble Friend will consider starting building operations again, and is he aware that this policy was very successfully carried out when Lord Melchett was First Commissioner?