HC Deb 08 July 1952 vol 503 cc1067-9
6. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to provide the building trade operatives for the urgently required house building for the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

Sir W. Monckton

Yes, Sir, so far as possible. The employment exchanges will continue to do all they can to meet demands for labour for housing contracts.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Does the Minister now agree that between 200 and 300 building trade operatives are leaving the city every morning for work miles around, travelling as far as Manchester and Derby, and could not some action be taken to see that the city gets the building trade labour that it requires?

Sir W. Monckton

We are doing what we can to let it be known in the city that there is not only employment in these trades, but also in the surrounding districts where we are circulating the information in the employment exchanges.

Dr. Stross

Would not the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider conferring with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and pointing out that as a result of schemes which have received his consent there is an inducement for labour to leave the city to build houses in other parts of the country, and that this is hardly fair to the city of Stoke-on-Trent?

Sir W. Monckton

I will certainly discuss that with my right hon. Friend.

7. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the request made by the National Coal Board for the provision of a large number of new houses each year by the city of Stoke-on-Trent; and what action he intends taking to provide the building trade workers.

Sir W. Monckton

I understand that the Stoke-on-Trent housing programme, including the provision of houses for miners, is at present under discussion between the local authority, the National Coal Board and the Principal Regional Officer of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. The second part of the Question is covered by the answer I have just given to the lion. Member's Question No. 6.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the good will between the National Coal Board and the municipality is as good as it possibly can he but that one of their difficulties is going to be labour? Will the Minister investigate with other Government Departments the allegations that are made that they are allowing expenses for travelling and so on for contracts to be carried out in the immediate vicinity?

Sir W. Monckton

I will look into that.

8. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Labour the number of building trade operatives and bricklayers who are registered as unemployed in the employment exchanges in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

Sir W. Monckton

Twelve craftsmen on 16th June of whom none were brick-layers. There were some 60 other workers, mostly labourers, unemployed whose last employment was in the building industry.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Having at last 'received that information, may I ask whether that does not reveal the necessity for action to be taken to cater for the housing needs of the city and of the incoming miners who are going to be transferred from all parts of the country?

Sir W. Monckton

I can only say that vacancies are very soon found for those who are registered unemployed. The figure has not shown a great change over the last two years.

Mr. Edward Davies

Will the Minister note the effect of altering the licence arrangements, making it possible for unlicensed work up to £200 to proceed, and the effect that this will have in transferring labour from building houses to repair work which is badly needed in our area? Will he also pay particular attention to the financial provisions of his right hon. Friend which are contributing to this position?

Sir W. Monckton

I have said that I will discuss the matter with my right hon. Friend, and I will bear those points in mind.