§ 59. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to find work for the unemployed by housing schemes in Scotland; and how many men he has been able to put in work since he took office and where?
§ Mr. SKELTONIn addition to a general appeal, which my right hon. 1287 Friend made to local authorities in Scotland at a conference held in Edinburgh in December last, he has caused a special letter to be addressed to particular local authorities urging them to prepare and accelerate housing schemes, and referring specifically to the contribution which these schemes would make towards the relief of unemployment in the building trades. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this letter for his information. The issue' of the letter has resulted in increased housing activity which has been reflected in an increase in the number of men employed on housing schemes. As regards the second part of the question, the position at the end of October, 1931, was that 8,120 men were directly employed on the housing schemes of local authorities in Scotland. At the end of March last, 8,554 men were so employed, being an increase of 434 men in five months. These men are employed on different schemes throughout Scotland. No figures are available as to the number of men employed on houses being erected with State assistance by private enterprise, but there has been a substantial increase in the number of such houses under construction during the period referred to.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs not the Undersecretary of State for Scotland aware that there never were more house builders unemployed in Scotland than at the present moment, and that if he cares to accept the information we are prepared to lay before him, he will find that never before during the last five years were there so many unemployed in the building industry and greater need for houses to be built? [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not take advantage of my leniency to him.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODOn a point of Order. I do not ask any concession from you or for any leniency. All that I ask is that you shall treat me the same as any other Member of the House, and I do not take it from you that you gave me any consideration.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member does not behave himself, I shall have to severely deal with him.