HC Deb 09 December 1946 vol 431 cc746-7
60. Mr. Baker White

asked the Minister of Works the number of builders convicted for black market offences in the period 1st July to 31st October, 1946, inclusive.

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir. The number is 60.

Mr. Baker White

Is the Minister aware that there are 163,000 building firms in the country, and that his answer makes complete nonsense of the allegation of the Minister of Health that there is a wide spread black market?

Mr. Tomlinson

I do not think it does at all.

61. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Works if he will call a conference of trade unions engaged in the building industry and employers' organisations with a view to the acceptance of measures of control which will stamp out black-market practices and fully mobilise the skill, labour and materials available behind the Government's housing programme.

Mr. Tomlinson

I am already in consultation with the trade unions and employers' organisations through my National Consultative Council and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by calling a special conference.

64. Mr. Baker White

asked the Minister of Works if it was with his approval that the Birmingham Trades Council made an appeal to all building workers in the Midlands to supply information about black-marketing in the building trade; and if he will state the results of this particular appeal.

Mr. Tomlinson

I am not aware that any appeal has been made by the Birmingham Trades Council to all building workers in the Midlands to supply information about illegal building work. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Mr. Baker White

Is the Minister aware that such an appeal was made, was published in the local and national Press. including the Socialist paper the "Town Crier," and that, as a result, exactly one case was sent in throughout the whole of the Midlands, and that that case proved to be unfounded?

Mr. Tomlinson

I was not aware of that, otherwise I should not have given the answer I did.

73. Mr. A. Edward Davies

asked the Minister of Works how many cases of infringement of the Building Licence Regulations have been brought to the notice of his Department during the past 12 months; and in how many cases court action has been taken.

Mr. Tomlinson

In the past twelve months 11,453 cases of suspected infringement have been brought to notice. In only 147 of these cases was I advised that the evidence was sufficient for prosecution, and those cases were taken to court.

Mr. Davies

In view of the disproportionate number taken to court, does it not give the impression that we are fighting shy of this matter? Is the Minister pro posing to take any firmer action in the future against this black-market work?

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir, I am already discussing with the associations of local authorities the possibility of local authorities making prosecutions rather than my Ministry, with a view to seeing that where there are prima facie cases, they shall be taken to the courts.

Mr. Hicks

How many prosecutions were unsuccessful out of the small number of cases reported?

Mr. Tomlinson

Only four cases were unsuccessful—there were 143 convictions out of 147.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry do not prosecute where there is a prima jade case, or is the disparity in the figures due to the fact that a large number of the allegations are unfounded?

Mr. Tomlinson

There is something in both contentions. The Ministry submit evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who decides whether a case is to be taken to the courts.