§ 24. Sir W. SUGDENasked the Minister of Health what proportion of local authorities are incorporating in their specifications for contracts of work and material in their areas a clause compelling a major portion of manual labour, both skilled and unskilled, to be of local character wherever such labour is locally available; and what steps he takes to test that such procedure is followed?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)I have not the information to answer the first part of my hon. Friend's question as ordinarily I do not see the specifications for particular contracts. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Sir W. SUGDENWill my right hon. Friend endeavour to protect the people concerned in respect of this labour, particularly the unskilled labour, which is at present exploited by various local government authorities?
§ Sir H. YOUNGAs I indicated to my hon. Friend, I think that there is a misconception in regard to the basis of this question. The local authority is under no obligation to show its specifications to me.
§ Sir W. SUGDENIs it not a fact that local authorities have certain definite privileges in regard to money over which my right hon. Friend has power, and if that is so, can he not compel such local authorities to protect local unemployed unskilled labour?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAre not the right hon. Gentleman and the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no such thing as unskilled labour? All labour is skilled.