§ 17. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that there are 6,000 applicants for houses in Newport, and about 20 new or extensions to factories are in course of progress; that there is a shortage of all skilled labour and essential building materials required for this work already sanctioned; and what steps are being taken to secure increased supplies, particularly in view of the increase in population and greater demand on Newport's supplies from the rest of Monmouthshire.
§ Mr. KeyI am not aware of any special shortage of building trade labour or materials at Newport, other than a temporary shortage of plasterers and carpenters, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is making every effort to fill priority vacancies. My officers will give every possible assistance in any case of serious difficulty in obtaining materials for urgent work.