§ Mr. ALSTEADasked the Minister of Health if he has given consideration to the fact, as revealed in the Census Returns of 1901, 1911 and 1923, that there has been a decline in the number of skilled men employed in the building trade in England and Wales of no less than 345,291 since the year 1901; if so, what steps does he propose to take to bring about a restoration of a supply of skilled men at least equal to the numbers available in 1901; and is he aware that such a step would wipe out unemployment in England and Wales?
Mr. GREENWOODIf the hon. Member will refer to the statements my right hon. Friend has made on the Financial 59W Resolution on the Housing Bill and elsewhere he will see that one of the principal objects in calling the representatives of the building industry together was to secure a rational plan for the restoration of the industry which would be worked with good will and enthusiasm by all concerned and which would meet the needs of the nation. My right hon. Friend is of opinion that the proposals for augmenting the supply of building labour contained in the Report of the National House Building Committee, in conjunction with the Government's housing proposals, offer the best practicable solution of this problem, and, while he does not go so far as the hon. Member, he is satisfied that they would play a very important part in reducing unemployment.