HC Deb 19 March 1970 vol 798 cc161-2W
43. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what representations she has received from the building trade unions about the effect on their membership of the growth of self-employment in the civil engineering and building industries; and what reply she has sent.

Mr. Harold Walker

My right hon. Friend has had a number of representations and has expressed her concern on many occasions. This was one of the reasons why we set up the Phelps Brown Inquiry. As the House knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works will introduce a Bill shortly to control self-employed subcontracting in the construction industry.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many self-employed persons there were in the construction industries in each year from 1963 to 1969, inclusive.

Mr. Dell

Rounded estimates of the numbers of employers and self-employed persons in the United Kingdom are as follows:

  • 195,000 in 1963.
  • 200,000 in 1964.
  • 210,000 in 1965.
  • 215,000 in 1966.
  • 235,000 in 1967.
  • 245,000 in 1968.

Estimates for 1969 are not yet available.