§ 11. Mr. Costainasked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he expects to introduce legislation to implement the Phelps-Brown Committee Report on Labour-only Sub-contracting.
§ 21. Mr. Mawbyasked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he now proposes to introduce legislation for the purpose of regulating labour-only subcontracting in the building industry.
§ Mr. John SilkinI have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke) on 12th November.—[Vol. 791, c. 388.]
§ Mr. CostainDoes the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that a delay in introducing this legislation, forecast in the Gracious Speech, is lending credence to the rumour in the industry that the Government do not intend to introduce such legislation or will at best introduce a minor sop to correct some rulings in the courts?
§ Mr. SilkinI am always very happy on the rare occasions when I can agree 100 per cent. with the hon. Gentleman, and we can go forward together in disagreeing entirely with that rumour, which I had not heard. It is the Government's intention to legislate, and I only hope that when the plans are announced the hon. Gentleman will be as happy with the proposals as I am sure my hon. Friends will be.
§ Mr. MawbyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this subject receives widespread support throughout the House? As the Bill will probably have to be rather technical to deal with all the problems, would he agree that we ought to have as much time as possible? Could we have the Bill at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. SilkinI would have thought that to have the Bill at the earliest possible moment was self-evident. When it is ready, that will be the earliest possible moment.