HC Deb 01 February 1949 vol 460 cc1491-3
18. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Labour what new proposals he has for increasing the supply of building labour in Scotland.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)

It is not our policy at present to take any special steps to increase the size of the building labour force as a whole.

Mr. Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the building force in Scotland is rapidly becoming depleted and that if no measures are taken the housing programme will slow down? Will he give this further consideration?

Mr. Isaacs

I am not aware that the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend. The position is—I shall be dealing with this in a little more detail in reply to another Question—that it is the spread-over of the total manpower which is important.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister know that we are short of 800 joiners in Scotland?

Mr. Isaacs

I am not aware of the fact.

Mr. Scollan

Can my right hon. Friend tell us why the very successful building trades training scheme at Hillington was stopped when we still needed the men?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir. The scheme was stopped because there appeared to be no possibility of absorbing all the men who are being trained. If Mr. Speaker will permit, perhaps such supplementary questions will be put to me after Question No. 29 on which I am dealing more fully with that phase of the situation.

29. Mr. Willis

asked the Minister of Labour in which branches of the building industry in Scotland there is a shortage of labour for house building at the present time; and what steps are being taken to obtain additional men.

Mr. Isaacs

There have been difficulties about meeting demands for certain craftsmen. These have been due to the large proportion of houses now at the finishing stage rather than to any long term shortage of particular craftsmen. The position has very considerably improved and outstanding demands for craftsmen are only about half what they were three months ago.

Mr. Willis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the rate of completion of houses is still being held up by lack of men in the finishing trades in Scotland? Would he not consult with the Secretary of State for Scotland about this matter with a view to getting more men, because these houses are urgently required?

Mr. Isaacs

We are doing that, but so many houses were pushed forward at one time to a certain point that, when they were ready for the finishing stages by painters, plasterers and so on, they had to wait until those men had completed their jobs. It would have taken a long time to train other plasterers, and it would have been unwise to have done so and then to have found so many surplus men when the job was completed.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Can the Minister deny that there is a serious shortage of plasterers in the West of Scotland, and what steps is he taking to remedy that situation?

Mr. Isaacs

We have taken sufficient steps to cut the outstanding vacancies to half of what they were. It would take a year to train plasterers, so we are en deavouring to induce the people in the area to transfer to the first jobs waiting to be completed.

Mr. Willis

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he contemplates that the rate of completion is to be reduced? If so, then it should be pushed up to keep the present flow going.

Mr. Isaacs

No, the rate of completion should be increased now because we are getting the labour force into a better balanced position.