§ 88. Mr. Edelmanasked the Minister of Works what is the total amount of building labour available in Coventry; how much is actually engaged in house construction and how much on factory repairs; and whether he will arrange for a special investigation to be made in order to ensure that no building workers are employed superfluously on factory maintenance staff when they could be employed to better effect in carrying out Coventry's housing programme.
§ Mr. DurbinAt the latest date for which information is available, 5,244 operatives 73W were employed in Coventry by building and civil engineering contractors, of whom 3,151 were employed on housing work of all kinds, including 1,952 on new construction, 908 on adaptations and conversions and 291 on repairs. In the course of a special inquiry made last November it was found that the number of men employed on maintenance work in factories was about 1,000. In granting maintenance licences for such work my officers have in mind the necessity for ensuring that no building workers are employed unnecessarily and I should be glad to inquire into any particular case that my hon. Friend may have in mind.