HC Deb 02 February 1972 vol 830 cc148-9W
Mr. Cormack

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the shortage of skilled craftsmen in the building industry.

Mr. Bryan

Shortages of building craftsmen are arising in many parts of the country, particularly in the South. The main shortages are of bricklayers and to a lesser extent of carpenters and plasterers. Employment exchanges are encouraging workers in supply areas to move to jobs in demand areas and facilities at Government training centres for training building workers are being expanded. We are planning jointly with the Department of the Environment to discuss with the industry what more might be done to meet the situation