HC Deb 15 February 1949 vol 461 cc924-5
7. Mr. Austin

asked the Minister of Labour the trades of the 41,000 building workers unemployed on 6th December, 1948; what were the reasons for such unemployment; and what steps are proposed for the employment of this valuable productive labour.

Mr. Isaacs

As the reply to the first part of the Question includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The amount, namely 3 per cent., is not excessive for this time of year and most of it is accounted for by men changing jobs. Sixty per cent. of the men unemployed on a Monday are in work again before the end of the week.

Following is the statement:

The following table gives an occupational analysis of the number of men and boys registered as unemployed in Great Britain at 6th December, 1948, whose last employment was in the building and civil engineering contracting industries:

Occupation Number registered as unemployed at 6th December, 1948
General Foreman (Building Trades) 62
Carpenter, Joiner 1,180
Bricklayer 1,131
Mason (not monumental) 59
Monumental Mason, Stone Carver 9
Slater, Tiler (Roof) 175
Plasterer 323
Floor and Patent Roofing Layer, Tiler (Wall and Floor) 57
Painter, Decorator, Paperhanger 2,949
Plumber, Gas Filler, etc. 520
Glazier 52
Labourers to above Occupations 1,501
Navvy, Mains Layer's etc. 434
Constructional Iron and Steel Work Fitter and Erector 94
Builder's Labourer (not otherwise shown) 2,303
Navvy's, Mains Layer's. etc.
Labourer 303
Constructional Iron and Steel Work Erector's Labourer 15
General Labourer, Heavy Work 9,246
General Labourer, Light Work 12,671
All other Occupations 7,874
Total 40,958