§ Mr. RAFFETYasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, having regard to the acute unemployment at the present time amongst operative painters, he will do his utmost to give employment on indoor painting during the remainder of the winter season; and whether, having regard to the rush of painting work in spring, he will take steps to spread the work over the year and so largely prevent seasonal unemployment?
§ Mr. JOWETTThe ordinary painting programme for Government buildings for the current year has already been to a large extent executed, but with a view to giving employment during the present winter season, arrangements have been made to put in hand the painting programme for 1924–25 which would in 1807W normal circumstances start on the 1st April. In addition, a substantial programme of internal painting is at present under consideration as a measure of relief for unemployment, and will, if approved, be put into immediate operation. With regard to the question of spreading painting work over the year, it must be borne in mind that, apart from the fact that a better standard of work is attained during the dry summer months, occupational conditions in the majority of cases render it necessary to spread large programmes of work on a building over periods of lowest Departmental pressure.