§ 21. Mr. Bossomasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether, in view of the apparent slowness in completing many building and constructional operations now handled by civilian operatives, he will obtain information as to the time taken to complete similar work by the Pioneer Corps?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning (Mr. Hicks)The conditions of employment of the Pioneer Corps are so widely different from those of contractors' labour, it is difficult to see how a reasonable comparison can be made between the two 486 organisations. Any such comparison would be influenced by so many factors that it would be hardly worth while.
§ Mr. BossomWill my hon. Friend take cases where there is a comparison possible and then, if the Pioneer Corps work is done more quickly, see why the ordinary work is not done at the same speed?
§ Mr. HicksI have made inquiry as to the type of work upon which they are usually employed, and it varies so much that to try to compare it with contracts by civilian labour seems to be an unnecessary inquiry, which would not produce any sort of satisfactory answer, but I am willing to inquire if my hon. Friend will give me any special points.