§ 14. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Public Building and Works, in view of the unemployment which exists, what plans he has made to utilise more manpower for necessary building works within his responsibility.
§ Mr. RipponI have given instructions that any deferred maintenance and necessary minor works of construction for which I am responsible shall be put in hand as a matter of urgency in the areas concerned.
§ Sir B. JannerWhat exactly are the plans of the Minister? What is he proposing should be done at present in excess of what would be done normally, in view of the large amount of unemployment there is and the sad prospects in the employment market in future? Has he any plans? Has he put them before the Treasury? Has he discussed them with his colleagues? What does he propose to do about the present emergency?
§ Mr. RipponYes, I have plans; and yes, I have put them before all my colleagues. As the House will appreciate, major new works take some time to plan and therefore cannot make an immediate contribution to the employment problem. What can make a fairly quick contribution is minor works and works of maintenance which can be fed into the construction industry quickly and provide employment, particularly employment for the unskilled people who are largely the cause of difficulty. The House will have seen the statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made yesterday on the subject of minor works and maintenance which can be carried out by local authorities in these areas.
§ Sir B. JannerIn view of the unsatisfactory reply, I give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.