§ 36. Mr. Moreasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will request the sub-committee of the National Consultative Council, currently studying the registration of builders, to take into account the Phelps Brown Committee's Report.
§ Mr. MellishI have no doubt that the independent inquiry when set up will consider all relevant matter in the Report of the Phelps Brown Committee.
§ Mr. MoreWhy, apart from a statement by the Minister's colleague the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, have we not had a statement of Government policy in this matter? Could not the "darned better Minister" himself, in view of the fact that he commissioned this Report jointly, make a public statement for the benefit of this sub-committee?
§ Mr. MellishFor the very simple reason that, when Phelps Brown issued the Report, we did the proper thing and supplied it to the industry—both employers and unions. Up to a week or so ago, we had not received any official replies. In a matter like this, it would be wrong for the Government to state a policy without having carried the industry with them.