Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON:

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the schemes initiated by his predecessor in office for the augmentation of labour in the building trades by means of the committees set up nationally and locally; and is he satisfied with the rate of increase in the supply of building labour?

The Building Industry Committee have set up local committees in most of the building centres of the country, and arrangements have been made for further committees to be set up as required. The Committee are not yet in a position to furnish statistics as to the number of apprentices which have been engaged, but no obstacles have been reported as regards the working of the scheme in connection with local authorities' contracts for house building.

Mr. THOMSON:

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress that is being made, and can he do anything more to expedite it?

I do not think that anyone can say they are fully satisfied with anything, but progress is being made, and we are helping as much as we can.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any results for London?

I should like notice of that question.