§ 16. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of building trade workers unemployed at the latest convenient date and the comparable figure for 1956; and what are the future prospects in respect to the employment of building trade workers.
§ The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)On 14th October, 1957, there were 32,500 unemployed people whose last employment was in the building and contracting industries, compared with 25,700 a year earlier. During the 12 months ending in September last the numbers employed fell by 31,000. There may be some further reduction in the numbers employed during the coming months but this will not necessarily be accompanied by a corresponding rise in unemployment.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, with many other people, I sincerely hope he is right and that there will not be any considerable increase in unemployment in the building trade?