HC Deb 22 June 1944 vol 401 cc323-5
5. Sir Wavell Wakefield

asked the Minister of Health if he will reconsider the proposals contained in Health Circular 14/44, which are causing grave concern to small builders in the Swindon district, in view of the fact that it places certain contractors in a privileged position, reverses previous Government policy of spreading building and civil engineering work amongst the largest number of con- tractors, and by withholding W.B.A. priority, interferes with the right of the local authority to conduct its affairs in an efficient manner.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies, of which I am sending him copies, which have been given recently to Questions on this subject.

6. Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an undertaking that large public works contractors will not be employed by local authorities on housing until after the small and medium local builders, who are more efficient on this class of work, are fully occupied.

Mr. Willink

I have nothing to add to the Reply given to the same Question by my hon. Friend, on 12th October, 1943.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the anxiety of the small and medium-sized building firms has been intensified since I last put the Question? I would beg him to see that these builders are given an opportunity to tender.

Mr. Willink

It is really the case, as I said before, that all who can do the work on an economic basis have an equal opportunity of getting the job. I regard both the medium and small builders as an essential factor in our housing programme after the war.

Mr. Bowles

The right hon. and learned Gentleman referred to a reply which he gave in October last. Does he realise that only about 10 per cent. of the Members of this House have bound copies of HANSARD, and that, therefore, they cannot refer to their own libraries for the answer?

Mr. Willink

Perhaps I might repeat what was said by my predecessor on that occasion, in reply to precisely the same Question. He did not consider at that time, and I do not at the present moment consider, that the exclusion of medium or small builders is the appropriate approach to this problem.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Will my right hon. and learned Friend look into this matter, because there are definite instances in which large contractors have been employed, and the smaller men have not got jobs?

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Will my right hon. and learned Friend undertake to look into any case that we may bring up?

Mr. Willink

Most certainly.

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