HC Deb 20 June 1973 vol 858 cc670-1
18. Sir R. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to encourage the expansion of the building industry in order that it can meet the demands being made on it, especially in the private sector.

Mr. Channon

It is my policy to encourage the building industry to meet all the demands made on it.

Sir R. Russell

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the building industry is so short of labour in some parts of the country that it is difficult to get a builder to carry out quite small repair jobs, because he is reluctant to transfer his men from work on new housing? Does my hon. Friend hold out any hope of this situation being remedied?

Mr. Channon

My hon. Friend is right. This is what worries the whole House. There are, in particular, shortages of bricklayers and carpenters, especially in the Midlands and the South-East. I am engaged in talks with both sides of industry to see what can be done about this.

Mr. Heffer

Since one of the most serious aspects of this is the development of labour only, or "lump" labour, will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what encouragement he is giving, in the discussions taking place between the unions and the employers, to the reaching of a voluntary agreement for dealing with this? If this is not possible, will he say whether the Government are prepared to introduce legislation to deal with it?

Mr. Channon

It would be wiser to wait and see the outcome of the negotiations between the employers and the unions. I am hoping that they will be successful.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

In addition to stimulating expansion of the building industry, will my hon. Friend co-operate with the industry in seeking the stimulation of new techniques and methods devised to increase labour productivity both in relation to craftsmen and labourers within the industry?

Mr. Channon

I agree with my right hon. and learned Friend. It is encouraging that the number of craftsmen going through the training opportunities scheme has substantially increased, and I hope that this will have some effect.