§ 8. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Census of Production form proposed for the building and civil engineering industry in respect of 1948 is much more detailed than the corresponding census in 1946; and whether he is satisfied that the information elicited will justify the increase in administrative and clerical staffs necessitated by the compilation of the required returns.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe form to which the hon. Member refers has been greatly simplified, after negotiations with representatives of the industry, and is now not much more detailed than the 1946 form. I am satisfied that any increased labour involved, which cannot be very substantial, will be more than justified by the value of the information elicited for this important industry.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIs there any reason why the form should be any more detailed 522 than in 1946? Is it not a fact that a census has not been demanded at all in 1947, because of the difficulties in which industry is placed in regard to manpower and other factors, and does the Minister think that industry will be any better in 1948 for the rendering of such returns?
§ Mr. WilsonI have been very fully into the question of this form, both since I got to the Board of Trade and while I was at the Ministry of Works, when I was concerned with it, and I am satisfied that, with the simplifications, it is fully justified.