HC Deb 26 October 1944 vol 404 cc363-4W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether, as in 1914 the cost of labour was 25 per cent. of the total cost of a house and has now risen to 65 per cent. and as in the experience of builders a good bonus leads to a preponderance of absenteeism, he will withdraw the bonus under the Essential Work Order.

Mr. Hicks

At the present time if the work is carried out under the Essential Work Order and the Uniformity Agreement, the labour cost is estimated at approximately 37 per cent. of the total cost of building a house. This compares with 32 per cent. in 1939. The question of bonusing in the building industry in the post-war period must in the future as in the past be a matter for negotiation within the building industry itself.