Captain TERRELILasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the importance of the matter to the taxpayers who have to pay the subsidies, he will state how the actual output of the building trade operatives compares with 1913: how many bricks the average bricklayer now lays per day in ordinary house-building as compared with 1913; and whether, as there is ample housing work for at least five years, it is anticipated that the available supply of labour will, apart from dilution, be sufficient?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAccounts given me as to the number of bricks laid per day in ordinary house building and as to the output of building trade operatives as compared with 1913 vary so much that I am unable to offer any reliable expression of opinion. I will, however, inquire further into this matter. With reference to the last part of the question, the supply of labour at present available would1082W probably be insufficient to carry out a very considerable housing programme. It will, however, I hope, be found practicable to increase it gradually by natural methods as the demand for it rises.