§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he is aware that Mark Liell
786Wby insured persons in the building industry, and the numbers of such persons registered as unemployed at 10th July, 1939, and 12th November, 1945.
& Sons, of West Ham, estate agents, have between 200 and 300 outstanding statutory sanitary orders which they are unable to execute because of lack of labour; and will he take steps to overcome this labour deficiency;
(2) if he is aware that Mark Liells, estate agents, West Ham, had a prewar staff for undertaking urgent repairs and statutory sanitary notices for working class houses of approximately 43 men, but have now only two men both over 60 years of age and it is impossible for them to carry out urgent sanitary repairs to working class houses; and will he take steps-to direct labour to this firm.
§ Mr. IsaacsAs my hon. Friend is no doubt aware there is a considerable shortage of building labour which is in great: demand for all kinds of housing work. I am arranging for my officers to get in touch with the firm in order to see what can be done to help them.