HC Deb 15 March 1948 vol 448 cc1673-5
10. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Works whether he will now issue more licences for building maintenance repairs and minor works, so as to avoid unemployment amongst building workers in' particular areas; and in what circumstances such additional licences will be granted.

Mr. Key

The White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948 drew attention to the necessity for strict control of this licensing so as not to impede the transfer of resources to more essential purposes. In future, therefore, if it appears that the restriction on new work will make more building workers available for maintenance, repair and minor works than would be employed at the former level of licensing the Regional Director of my Department will consult the Regional Controller of the Ministry of Labour about the possibilities of alternative employment. If the Ministry of Labour advise that alternative employment is available on essential work in the building industry or in other industries the level of licensing of maintenance, repair and minor works of a less urgent character will be restricted, so that the employment exchanges may offer the men employment on other essential work. If, on the other hand, alternative employment in essential work will not be available, additional licences for maintenance, repair and minor works will be issued.

Mr. Chetwynd

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that there will be the closest consultation between the two Departments concerned, so that these remedies may be put in hand before the unemployment actually arises?

Mr. Key

Yes, Sir. That will take place not only at the centre, but in the regional organisations as well.

Mr. Drayson

Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that the unemployed building operatives will be directed to other employment in connection with the building industry?

Mr. Key

No, Sir. I mentioned no such term as directed.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Is it not desirable that the local authority should be given more latitude, because the local authority on the spot can tell whether unemployment is rife or not?

Mr. Key

Yes, Sir. As the answer implies, the local authority will be given authority to increase the licences in their area to absorb such unemployed as cannot be provided with alternative employment in essential industries.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a case, typical of many, in part of my own Division where there are houses now uninhabitable, which for £60 or £70 could be made habitable? The material and labour are readily available, but we cannot get licences.

Mr. Key

The licensing lies with the local authority in the area concerned.

Sir W. Smithers

On a point of Order. I think that the Minister replied under a misunderstanding. The local authorities are limited. They would give the licences for them, but the Ministry of Works will not let them.

Mr. Key

That is not a true statement of the facts.

Sir W. Smithers

It is.

Mr. Key

The point is that in each of the zonal areas concerned, conferences are held with the local authorities, and the available labour in the area is apportioned among the local authorities, who have the power to license up to that limit.

Mr. Assheton

Is it not the case that each local authority has been given a specific limit up to which it can spend, and that these limits are very low indeed and are causing the greatest possible embarrassment to local authorities all over the country?

Mr. Key

These limits are settled by the zonal conferences, and the local authorities licence to the full extent of the labour available in the areas concerned.

Mr. Assheton indicated dissent.

Mr. Key

It is no use the right hon. Gentleman shaking his head, that is the basis on which the zonal conference is worked.

Mr. Assheton

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that, although the zonal conferences may have a certain amount of money to distribute among the different authorities—and we do not dispute that—we dispute that the total amount of work distributed will absorb the labour and materials available in these localities?

Mr. Key

As I have already pointed out, it is not on the basis of money that distribution is made. It is on the basis of available building trade labour in the areas concerned.