HC Deb 13 May 1948 vol 450 cc2273-4
47. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Labour how many operatives in the building trade were unemployed on the last date for which he has statistics.

Mr. Isaacs

22,009 at 12th April.

Mr. Bossom

Can the Minister say if the total number of unemployed in the building industry is as great as it was when the Government took office?

Mr. Isaacs

From June, 1947, to December, 1947, there was a fluctuation —we use this term to mean men going in and out of jobs—of between 13,000 and 21,000 per month. The average has been about the same.

Mr. George Hicks

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Minister of Works has taken the price control off bricks, and that there is a quantity of timber available? Will he have a chat with the Minister of Health, with a view to enlarging the building programme?

Mr. Isaacs

We have anticipated that question, and consultations are now taking place.

Major Bruce

Can my right hon. Friend say how many vacancies there were on the date he has just given to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom)?

Mr. Isaacs

Not without notice, but there were quite a number.