asked the Minister of Labour whether he can estimate how many men were employed on the maintenance, improvement and construction of roads and bridges for the years 1937–38 and 1938–39?

The construction and maintenance of roads and bridges are not separately distinguished in the statistics compiled by my Department, and figures giving the information desired are, therefore, not available.

Are the Government looking at schemes of this nature, which would absorb some of the unemployed? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that these figures should be obtainable?

Last March I gave the House an analysis of the amount spent in this matter, which was a very large sum. If my hon. Friend has not seen that, I should be pleased to obtain it from the Minister of Transport and let him have it.

Is it any use knowing the amount of money spent, if we do not know the number of men put into employment by the spending of the money?

The amount spent is some indication of the extent of the work done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that all the work on roads shall be done by labour from the local Employment Exchanges?

The arrangement in regard to constructional work is that employers should notify my Department, but I have no power to compel them to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of getting these figures?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much is expended in new work as against improvements?

I could not state that at the moment, but it does not arise on this question, except incidentally.