§ 7. Mrs. Jean Mannasked the Minister of Labour how many trainees in the building trades completed their training and are now engaged in house building; and, in view of the shortage of labour in Scotland for house building, will he extend the scheme immediately.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)About 52,000 men after training in the Government Training Centres have entered the Building Industry, but there are no statistics to show which of them are engaged in house building. I am looking into the present position in Scotland.
§ Mrs. MannIf my right hon. Friend looks into this position will he not find that men have been taken from the employment exchanges to remove slag heaps, known in Scotland as "bings," by hand; and would it not be much more sensible to train these men for the building of houses?
§ Mr. IsaacsI have been asked a Question about men employed on house building. I do not know anything about these "bing boys," but I will look into the matter.
§ 13 and 18. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he is aware that the programme of house building in Scotland is being limited because of a shortage of certain types of building trade labour; and what steps he is taking to increase the supply;
(2) what particular shortages of building trade labour are the limiting factors in house building in Scotland.
§ Mr. IsaacsThere has recently been a continuing shortage of certain craftsmen, notably carpenters, plasterers, painters and slaters, which slows up the completion of houses. I am looking into the position.