HC Deb 18 March 1942 vol 378 cc1493-4
24. Mr. Bossom

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he has any in formation as to the effect the Essential Work Order has had upon the output of building trade operatives?

Mr. Hicks

The operation of the Essential Work Order, including the application of payment by results, has resulted in substantial increases in output and has enabled more rapid progress to be made on the main Government building works. Of this there is ample evidence from a large number of contracts.

Mr. Bossom

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he will be so good as to look into some of the cases at the present time where output apparently is not quite so good as he has just said it is?

Mr. Hicks

We are constantly following-up this matter. The introduction of the system of payment by results is relatively new, and therefore we have no complete data, but on such information as we have we are satisfied.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is not this payment by results a great concession that was given by the building industry at the outbreak of war?

Mr. Hicks

It was a concession which was negotiated with the industry.