HC Deb 09 October 1945 vol 414 cc15-6
24. Mr. Quintin Hogg

asked the Minister of Labour how many operatives it is estimated will be employed in the building industry by 10th May, 1946.

Mr. Isaacs

It is expected that by 10th May, 1946, the number of operatives available for employment in the building industry will be about 750,000. It is not easy to distinguish between building workers and civil engineering workers and many of the latter are available for building work.

Mr. Hogg

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the calculation to which he has just referred, is on the same basis as that made during a speech earlier in the year by the right hon. Gentleman the Foreign Secretary, when he was Minister of Labour?

Mr. Isaacs

Without an opportunity of looking that up, I could not answer the question.