HC Deb 25 July 1966 vol 732 cc1206-7
38. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what percentage of the manpower force employed in the building and construction industry consists of sub-contractors operating on a labour-only basis.

Mr. Boyden

Precise figures are not available, but it looks as though it is about 4 per cent.

Mr. Biffen

Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that this figure is itself too large? Does he think that it may increase as a result of recent changes such as the Selective Employment Tax?

Mr. Boyden

I think that the figure might have misled the hon. Gentleman, because it covered the whole of the industry, and half a million operatives are employed by local authorities, where it does not apply. If one were to take the sector about which we are most worried, the figure is probably nearer 5 per cent.

Mr. Lubbock

What representations has the Minister received from the building trade unions concerning this? What measures does he intend to take that ensure that the Selective Employment Tax does not encourage labour-only sub-contractors in the building industry?

Mr. Boyden

The trade unions did not oppose the Selective Employment Tax. We have met them on a number of occasions. We are having consultations with the other Departments concerned to see what can be done to limit labour-only sub-contracting.