HC Deb 29 April 1968 vol 763 cc767-8
11. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will publish the evidence given to the Reddaway Inquiry by his Department on effects on the construction industry of the Selective Employment Tax.

15. Mr. Rossi

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will arrange for his Department to give evidence to the Reddaway inquiry into the effects of Selective Employment Tax.

Mr. Mellish

No formal evidence will be furnished to Mr. Reddaway by the Government. He will, however, be given any help or information he asks for.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Nevertheless, will the Government take the opportunity to explain to Mr. Reddaway how one keeps building costs down by taxing building workers?

Mr. Mellish

The associations and professional bodies within the construction industry have been informed by me officially of Mr. Reddaway's address. Knowing them as well as I do, I have no doubt that they will tell him all that they think he ought to hear.

Mr. Rossi

Will the Minister also tell Mr. Reddaway that the industry is totally opposed to the tax in its present form and wishes to see it abolished at the earliest possible opportunity?

Mr. Mellish

The hon. Member must not under-estimate the associations to which I referred. If anyone is to tell Mr. Reddaway anything, they are the people to do it, not me.

Mr. Speed

Will the Minister estimate the extra cost to local authorities of these additional costs on contractors working for them?

Mr. Mellish

Not without notice.

Mr. Roebuck

Is it open to those who wish to buy houses to tell Mr. Reddaway that they will support any measure which will reduce the over-manning in the building industry and lead to the introduction of more efficient ways of building houses?

Mr. Mellish

Mr. Reddaway's terms of reference are concerned with the implications of S.E.T. I have done what I have to do as Minister—let all those connected with the construction industry know to whom they should write and where they should write. What they say is for them to decide.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

But is it not very important to consider the effect on labour-only contracting? Surely the Minister should do something about that. Who will give evidence to Mr. Reddaway about that?

Mr. Mellish

It is for him to ask for information. If he does, we shall supply it. My task as Minister is not to go to this man and this Committee and to make representations to them. It is for him to ask for information—and what he wants he will get from us.