asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what action it is proposed to take with a view to sharing amongst architects to the widest extent possible such Government work as is now being undertaken, in view of the difficult position in which many architects find themselves through the cessation of private and civil building?

I am afraid that the drastic decline in civil building, due to the shortage of certain materials, the rise in costs, uncertainty as to future requirements and the call upon available capital for war purposes, renders inevitable a corresponding decline in the demand for architects' services, for which the Government building programme cannot compensate. The Departments concerned with building have in the aggregate substantially increased the number of architects in their temporary employment, but I am asking them to consider whether there is any way in which they can make a more extended use to the public advantage of the professional talent which is unemployed.

In view of the very difficult position in which many architects find themselves, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman get into touch with the Minister of Health in order to see whether more can be done in the way of building, or completing buildings, by local authorities?

I think the hon. Gentleman has heard replies from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on that matter.