§ Colonel Lyonsasked the Minister of Labour what decision has recently been reached regarding an increase in the wage rates of building trades operatives and the electrical contracting industry; and whether he can make any statement as to the effect thereof on the cost and acceleration of house-building and repairs.
§ Mr. BevinIn both these industries voluntary agreements have recently been reached through the recognised machinery of trade negotiation to increase rates of wages. In Scotland negotiations are still in progress in the building industry. As regards the last part of the Question, the effect of these increases on the cost and acceleration of house-building and repairs cannot be estimated in the absence of knowledge of their effect on output.