§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of people employed in the construction industry at the present time; and what is the estimated projection over the next 12 months.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerIt is estimated that in December 1977 1,235,000 workers were employed in the construction industry in Great Britain.
Private sector orders have been increasing and these, together with the additional funds allocated to the construction industry—which were announced by the Government during 1977—should lead to increased employment. It is not possible, however, to forecast how quickly and to what extent new jobs will arise.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has given advice to employers in the construction industry to use certain predictions of investment and employment in that industry as a bargaining factor in negotiations about flexibility with employees.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerNo.