HC Deb 07 November 1949 vol 469 cc861-2
1. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Works the number of operatives, both skilled and unskilled, that will be required to enable the proposed concert hall on the South Bank to be ready for use in time for the 1951 Exhibition.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Key)

The number of building and civil engineering operatives (including off-site preparation) that will be required at the peak of construction of the concert hall will be about 700, of whom about half will be skilled.

Mr. Bossom

Is not the right hon. Gentleman giving us a rather low estimate in this case? Would it not be far better if these men were helping the millions of people who are waiting for houses, and who were told that they would get them in double quick time?

Mr. Key

No, Sir; I am assured that this estimate is quite correct. As has been said before, this work is not being done in any way at the expense of building labour devoted to housing.

Mr. Marples

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that operatives working on power station contracts are being attracted to work on the South Bank scheme by the inducement of higher subsistence allowances, which are tax free and which are permitted by the authorities? Does he propose to take any action to stop the flow of operatives from essential work to the South Bank?

Mr. Key

That does not fall to me.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Is it not true that the satisfaction of Socialist vanity has involved a callous disregard for the housing problem?

Mr. Key

There is no question of Socialist vanity here, but of satisfying a great need in London.