HC Deb 15 May 1950 vol 475 cc118-9W
114. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking, in view of the concentration of building workers and building materials on repairs and other works to the exclusion of house building in the City of Birmingham, to ensure a better allocation of building workers and building materials for house building.

Mr. Stokes

I would refer my hon. Friend to the very full statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health in the course of the Adjournment Debate on 30th March. The level of licensing for maintenance and repair work is at present some 20 per cent. less than in 1949. If my hon. Friend has any evidence of labour shortage on new housing I shall be glad to receive it.