BUILDING TARGETS
SIR,—Mr. Grant's letter in your issue of the zoth July surely discloses a very disturbing state of things. Mr. Grant says that before the war the average number of bricks laid in ordinary house building was about 75o and that, in spite of the encouragement afforded by the bonus, this has now fallen to 45o. It is certainly difficult to understand why the target level at which the bonus begins should have been fixed at what was half the average output before the war. The object of a bonus is presumably to encourage the skilful and diligent workman. If a bonus level is fixed too low it must inevitably reduce the general level of per- formance, as apparently it has in this instance.
I am reminded of a master builder. whom I used to know who, many years ago, when engaged on straight-away work laid I,Soo bricks in a ten- hour day. It is, of course, understood that such numbers are very much affected by the nature of the work upon which men are engaged, such as the preparation of window openings, arches, etc. Even, however, when full allowance is made for this factor the difference in performace is very striking. One is left wondering what must be the effect on the cost of houses.—Your obedient servant,
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