95. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that a builder whose name has been supplied to him, can obtain no work; and, in view of the need for houses, can he be given immediate contracts.
§ Mr. SandysI have asked the regional representative of the Ministry of Works to get in touch with the builder in question. There is, of course, no shortage of building work to be done in this area. However, whilst the war lasts, there will continue to be a shortage of building trade operatives. In consequence, there is, in most parts of the country, not enough labour to enable all building trade employers to be provided continuously with contracts. When one contract comes to an end, operatives who have been engaged upon it, may at times have to be transferred to another employer who is short of labour for some other priority work.
Miss WardIs my right hon. Friend aware that this builder's operatives have been sitting down playing cards, and that 1390 the builder has been making representations for a long period without any satisfaction?
§ Mr. SandysI was not in possession of that information.
§ Mr. BowlesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Holborn on Friday three men were putting up yellow flags outside the War Savings Department?
§ Mr. SandysNo, Sir.