§ 31 and 32. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Labour (1) how many building trade operatives are at present unemployed in England and Wales;
(2) how many building trade operatives are now unemployed in Scotland.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)At Nth February, the latest date for which figures are at present available, there were 7,924 insured persons aged 16 years and over, classified as belonging to the building industry, registered as unemployed in England and Wales, and 1,519 in Scotland.
§ Sir T. MooreAs so many men are obviously available, may I ask the right 1782 hon. Gentleman why the Government did not exercise some foresight and imagination in providing the bricks for those men to use? Why always put the cart before the horse?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. and gallant Gentleman asks me a question about building trade operatives. He did not restrict himself to bricklayers. They are included, but many of these operatives are painters and plasterers, and until the walls are put up they cannot be used. A great many of these men will be needed when the class of work on which they are engaged becomes available.
§ Major RamsayMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will consider making available some more up-to-date figures than the ones he has given the House?
§ Mr. IsaacsI have given the latest figures that are available.