HC Deb 24 May 1965 vol 713 c16W
57. Sir J. Lucas

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware that bricklayers within the London area who last October were offered 8s. an hour with a guaranteed 56-hour week, are now offered up to 12s. 6d. an hour with plenty of overtime and paid travel time, and that hod carriers are offered 8s. an hour; what effect these increases have had on the price of a three-bed-roomed council house; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Boyden

My right hon. Friend has no evidence to suggest that earnings of bricklayers have risen by over 50 per cent. since last October. Hourly earnings for all craftsmen in the London and South-Eastern Region rose by about 5 per cent. between June, 1964, and January, 1965, and I do not expect that the figures for the six months from January to June, 1965, will show a rise of the order suggested by the hon. Member.