HC Deb 17 April 1946 vol 421 c457W
Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Works how many men were engaged in the brick-making industry on 31st March, 1938, on VE-Day and 31st March, 1946; and how many men were employed as bricklayers in the building industry on the same dates.

Mr. Tomlinson

The estimated number of productive manual workers engaged in the brick-making industry was 55,000 on 31st March, 1938, 11,000 on 8th May, 1945, and 23,500 on 31st March, 1946. The number of bricklayers aged 16–64 insured against unemployment in the building industry in Great Britain was 109,210 at 1st July, 1938, and 48,390 at 1st July, 1945. The number at 31st March, 1946, is estimated at between 70,000 and 75,000.