"BUILD NOW"
[To the Editor of TUE SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—In view of the present interest in the " Build Now " campaign, I should like to point out one or two facts as far as London is concerned. A few weeks ago a census was taken of the unemployment amongst building operatives in the L.C.C. area. There were 28,162 on the live register, of whom 16,588 were skilled and 11,574 unskilled. Among the skilled craftsmen, many of whom are quickly losing their skill because of the long spell of unemployment, were 3,626 Carpenters and Joiners, 1,599 Bricklayers, 449 Masons, 104 Slaters and Tilers, 1,002 Plasterers and Wall and Floor-tilers, 8,605 Painters and Decorators, and 1,203 Plumbers, Glaziers and Gas Fitters. Their cost in unemployment pay for the total of 28,162 was V...4,024 13s. 10d. per week, which works out at £1,249,352 per annum.
That is the situation in the London area controlled by the L.C.C., which, of course, is only a part of the Greater London area. What the cost of unemployment in the building industry throughout the country is and the numbers involved, I cannot say, but the figures must be staggering. The only point I wish to make is that it is uneconomic economy to spend this money without any return at all when it could be safely and wisely invested in bricks and mortar to the benefit of the country, at the same time creating work for and earning the profound gratitude of many thousands of British craftsmen and workers in a hundred and one industries.—I am, Sir, &e., 84 Russell Square, ERNEST J. BROWN, Director,
W.C. 1. London Master Builders' Association.
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