§ 9. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Labour how many building workers are registered as unemployed in the London area; and what the comparable figure was last year.
§ Mr. Hare6,905 workers whose last employment was in the construction industry were unemployed in the Greater London area on 15th October. The comparable figure for 1961 was 4,680.
§ Mr. LiptonDo not these figures indicate that there has been a 50 per cent. increase in the number of unemployed building workers in the London area as compared with last year? Will the right hon. Gentleman bring these figures to the notice of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, who only last Thursday solemnly but inaccurately assured the House that the building industry was fully employed?—see OFFICIAL REPORT, 1st November, col. 325.
§ Mr. HareI think the present figures indicate a slight easing of the pressure on the industry. There are still considerable shortages of certain craftsmen, particularly carpenters and bricklayers. In general, there is no shortage of building work in London.