asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of unemployed persons in the building industry, particularly among workers previously employed by comparatively small firms; and whether he will therefore consult with the appropriate Departments with a view to securing Government contracts for smaller firms in the provinces, and with local authorities with a view to the reconsideration of the suspension of all building programmes?

On the first and second parts of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cambridge (Lieut.-Commander Tufnell) on 6th February; and on the third part to the reply given on 18th January by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to Questions on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many small firms which have had to close down because all the Government orders are being given to one or two large firms in London, and that they feel very badly done by because local authorities are doing no building, private building is being discontinued and hundreds of men employed by these small firms are being put out of employment?

If the hon. Gentleman will study the answers to which I have referred he will find that point dealt with.

Will the Minister do something instead of asking for specific cases?

If the hon. Member will do his share as I ask him to do, he will find that I am doing mine.