HC Deb 17 June 1952 vol 502 cc981-2
47. Mr. Edward Davies

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that an adequate labour force is available for the building of houses in those areas where they are most urgently required.

Mr. H. Macmillan

Employment exchanges do all they can to persuade building workers to take housing work where they are most urgently needed. Local authorities are encouraged, particularly in areas where building labour is inadequate for local needs, to use non-traditional methods of house-building, which require a minimum of labour, especially skilled labour, on the site. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular on this subject that I addressed to all local authorities last March.

Mr. Davies

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that where there is demand in contiguous areas there is some danger of bargaining—of enticing and attracting workers by his financial arrangements? Does he not in some instances make provision for travel? Has it not the effect, in the case of non-traditional contractors, of abstracting men who could be more usefully employed building houses, instead of travelling, say, two or three hours in a bus to their work?

Mr. Macmillan

There is always some danger in rivalry, but there is still greater danger in stagnation.

Mr. Ellis Smith

How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his original answer with what is taking place in the City of Stoke-on-Trent, where houses are required not only for normal needs but also for thousands of miners who are being transferred from other parts of the country to a Development Area? In view of the most urgent need for attention to be given to the problem there, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to give his personal attention to this special case?

Mr. Macmillan

Yes, Sir, if the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question about Stoke-on-Trent I shall endeavour to add to the information which he has just given to the House.

Mr. Smith

But is not the Minister aware that he knows that this Question relates to Stoke-on-Trent?

Mr. Davies

Is the Minister not aware that his Department has already been supplied with the facts before this Question was put down?