HC Deb 30 November 1972 vol 847 cc213-4W
Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he takes to ascertain the bona fides of labour-only sub-contractors in the construction industry.

Mr. Channon

Under the conditions of contract used by the Property Services Agency for its construction work, main contractors are required to seek approval of the superintending officer for any subletting. When asked to approve the use of a labour-only sub-contractors the superintending officer has to secure an assurance from the main contractor that the proposed employment will be in accordance with the declaration of intent prefixed to the working rules of the National Joint Council for the Building Industry.

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate he has made of the number of labour-only sub-contractors currently operating in the construction industry;

(2) how many labour-only subcontractors were recorded as operating in the construction industry in each of the last three completed years;

(3) if he can indicate the number of labour-only sub-contractors currently operating in the civil engineering section of the construction industry.

Mr. Channon

There are no separate figures recorded, and no reliable estimates, of the number of labour-only subcontractors operating in any section of the construction industry, either currently or in the last three completed years.