§ 10. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Labour how many building workers are unemployed in the London area; and how the number compares with last year.
§ Sir W. Monckton4,427 at 15th September, 1952, compared with 2,159 at 17th September, 1951.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain why there has been this marked and continual worsening of the unemployment situation so far as the building workers are concerned in the London area since he became Minister of Labour?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that it is none of my intentional doing, but I would like to say this: the figures I have given for 15th September, 1952, represent just over 2 per cent. of the estimated total number of employees in the building industry in the area. Although I regret there has been an increase, I do not think it is so startling as the hon. and gallant Member suggests.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWould the Minister suggest that many of the unemployed should go to Stoke-on-Trent, where we want to build many more thousands of houses than we are doing?
§ Mr. S. SilvermanCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain why there should be any unemployment in the building industry at the present time?
§ Sir W. MoncktonMay I first say a word about Stoke-on-Trent. If it were as easy as one would like it to be to take workers from London to Stoke-on-Trent and put them to work there, no one would be more satisfied than I, but it is not very easy to make that change. As things are now, although there is a great deal of building to be done, it depends a great deal on what the exact building situation is in a particular part of the country.
§ Mr. LewisCan the Minister explain how, if there is urgent need for houses, schools, factories, hospitals and sanatoria in London, there can be any unemployed building trade workers at all? What is the reason for it?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI am not in a position either to provide all the money that would be wanted or the materials that would be wanted of the particular kind required in a particular place.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.