§ 25. Mr. Eyreasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will now announce the results of his Departmental discussions with the Board of Trade and representatives of the building and construction industries regarding a standard form of building contract; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe discussions have strengthened the Government's view that the Restrictive Trade Practices Act does not obstruct the development of a standard building contract form as recommended by the Banwell Committee and need not impede the general adoption of such a form when available.
§ Mr. EyreIs the Minister aware that the building industry is being held in suspense over the settlement of this vital matter? Last July he said that it would be settled during the summer. What is the reason for this prolonged delay? When will it be ended?
§ Mr. PrenticeI should be surprised if I had said that the matter would be settled during the summer. I certainly said that we hoped to make some progress on it. I think that we have. The Board of Trade is now discussing with the Registrar of the Restrictive Practices Court measures which could legally be 18 taken by building employers to promote a more general use of the model contract form.