HC Deb 11 March 1969 vol 779 cc1151-2
17. Mr. Fortescue

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will seek to arrange a joint meeting of the National Consultative Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries and the Economic Development Committees for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries under his chairmanship.

Mr. Mellish

No, Sir.

Mr. Fortescue

Would not such a meeting be of a fairly manageable size, since the membership of these three bodies is practically identical?

Mr. Mellish

I was not expecting that supplementary question—I think the answer is "Yes, it should be."

19. Mr. Silvester

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will place in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the agenda of the last meeting of the National Consultative Council of the Building and Civil Engineering Industries, indicating which items on the agenda are not within the terms of reference of the Economic Development Committees of the Building and Civil Engineering Industries.

Mr. Mellish

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Silvester

Will not that agenda show that the terms of reference of these bodies are very close, except in respect of wage negotiations? Is there, therefore, any good reason for continuing both bodies?

Mr. Mellish

I can talk here for my own National Consultative Council. There is a very good reason for it continuing. I have reorganised it and it is now doing a good job of work, with working parties. The difference between the E.D.C.s and my own N.C.C. is that people who are on my N.C.C. are representing organisations and industry, whereas on the E.D.C.s they represent themselves.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

As there is very little difference between the terms of reference of both bodies, and as eight members sit on both, would it not be a good thing to keep the N.C.C. and consider, with the right hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friends, whether the other should not go the way of all flesh?

Mr. Mellish

The "Little Neddy" is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, and it is now awaiting the appointment of chairman. If there is the will there is the way, because there are those who are very anxious that "little Neddy" machinery should be used to great advantage.

Following is the information:—

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES.

Agenda of Second Meeting held on 18th September, 1968

*1. Minutes of the First Meeting.

*2. Matters arising from the Minutes:—

  1. (a) Representation of the Scottish National Federation of Building Trade Employers on the Council.
  2. (b) Building Research Station Jubilee.

3. Report of the Working Group on Metrication.

*4. Report by the Chairman of the Standing Consultative Committees.

*5. Report of the Steering Committee on the Registration of Builders.

6. Report of the Working Group on Exports.

7. Trends in Construction Activity.

8. Proposed Appointment of a Working Group on Coding and Data Co-ordination.

*9. Appointment and tenure of membership of members of N.C.C.

*10. Any other business.

* Items outside the terms of reference of the Economic Development Committees for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries in whole or in part.