§ 21. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he expects to publish the report of his inquiry into labour only sub-contracting; and by what date he instructed the Group to report to him.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe inquiry has not yet been set up. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour hopes to make a statement about it in the near future.
Mr. BrailleThis is quite astonishing. Would not the Minister agree that an inquiry of this kind would be of the greatest possible value to the industry? Can he not inject a little urgency into this matter and press for the inquiry to be started? How long will it take?
§ Mr. PrenticeI agree that it is a matter of very great importance. That is why the Government intend to set up the inquiry. As to the time taken, since I answered a Question on the matter on 21st November, my right hon. Friend and I have been discussing it with both sides of the building industry and the E.D.C.s for the building and the civil engineering industries. We thought it right to discuss the inquiry and the terms of reference in order to get it off to the right start, but I hope there will be an announcement very soon now.