HC Deb 31 March 1969 vol 781 cc27-8
32. Mr. Heffer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what progress she has made in her discussions on labour-only sub-contracting and self-employment in the building industry.

Mrs. Castle

I am glad to say that representatives of both employers and unions in building and civil engineering have indicated in discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works and myself, their general support for regulation of labour-only sub-contracting and self-employment in these industries on the lines recommended by the Phelps Brown Committee. Detailed consultations are now taking place with a view to legislation.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that will be very welcome, especially by the building trade workers? My right hon. Friend says that legislation is likely to come along. Can she indicate how quickly we may expect it? Secondly, does not she agree that the time has come to eliminate the abuses which arise as a result of this type of employment?

Mrs. Castle

I accept my hon. Friend's last remark. It is because we are conscious of the abuses and the need to eliminate them that we expedited these consultations and are now expediting the preparation of legislation. I am afraid that I cannot give my hon. Friend an exact date because that depends partly on the time it takes to prepare the legislation and also upon the legislative time table, but we have the importance of this very much in mind.

Dr. Winstanley

Does the right hon. Lady agree that one of the most rapid ways of reducing the total number of labour-only sub-contractors would be to get her right hon. Friend to abolish the Selective Employment Tax?

Mrs. Castle

That is a typically regressive way of approaching this problem. The right way of eliminating abuses is on the lines of the Phelps Brown Report, which advocated not what the hon. Gentleman has advocated but, rather, registration and the acceptance of the principle of deeming as ways in which these abuses could be stopped.

33. Mr. Heffer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what discussions she has held on the National Board for Prices and Incomes Reports numbers 91 and 92 on The Building and Civil Engineering Industry.

Mrs. Castle

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works and I have held discussions with both employers and union representatives on the constructive and far-reaching recommendations in these Reports. I have indicated my concern that rapid progress should be made and have asked to be kept in touch with developments.