§ 8. Mr. Gammansasked the Minister of Labour how many men in the building industry were registered as unemployed at the last date when returns were made.
§ Mr. IsaacsAt 14th October, the number of insured men aged 16 and over in the building industry registered as unemployed in Great Britain, was 16,644.
§ Mr. GammansHow does the Minister reconcile this appalling waste of manpower with some of the statements recently made by the Minister of Health to justify his failure in housing progress?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe figures are taken on Monday, and 60 to 70 per cent. of the craftsmen who sign on as unemployed on Monday are placed in employment before the end of the week. It is a constant going in and out. As far as the unskilled men are concerned, 4,760 are fit for light work only, and although they are registered under the building scheme they are not really available for building work. In that case also 15 to 20 per cent. of the registrations on Monday are placed in employment by the end of the week.