HC Deb 10 February 1970 vol 795 cc1064-5
19. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he will introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Phelps Brown Committee on labour-only sub-contracting.

27. Captain W. Elliot

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he now proposes to implement the Phelps Brown Report's recommendations on self-employed men in the building industry.

40. Mr. Heffer

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he intends to introduce legislation to deal with the problem of labour-only subcontracting.

Mr. John Silkin

I have invited both sides of the industry to consult with me on the main measures I intend to incorporate in forthcoming legislation.

Mr. Costain

If the Bill is as urgent as we understood from the Gracious Speech, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that on 12th November he promised the House that he would have these consultations? Why have they not already taken place?

Mr. Silkin

My memory may be at fault, but I do not think that the hon. Gentleman is right when he says that I promised consultations. I think that I promised proposals as soon as possible. I believe that I am now able to put forward definitive proposals, but it is natural that I should want to discuss them with both sides of industry.

Captain Elliot

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to present the Bill to Parliament before Easter? Does he recall that in October the Prime Minister said that it was necessary? The building industry is now beginning to wonder whether it is coming along at all in this Session.

Mr. Silkin

Perhaps I might reassure the hon. Gentleman before I reassure the building industry, which I shall be seeing early in the week after next. The Bill will be coming forward, and I shall be discussing proposals with the industry.

Mr. Heifer

As it is now four and a half months since we were promised in the Queen's Speech that this legislation would come in and as labour-only subcontracting is still a growing problem in the building industry, may I ask my right hon. Friend to indicate when precisely the consultations are to take place and when we shall have the legislation before us?

Mr. Silkin

The consultations will be early in the week after next. Obviously I will inform the House as soon as possible.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Concerning this promised Bill which was so urgently needed, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that any further increase in S.E.T. on the construction industry will be intolerable anyway, but that it would be more intolerable and, indeed, an outrage if it happened before the House had a chance to discuss the Bill which very much affects the situation?

Mr. Silkin

I shall pass on the hon. Gentleman's comments to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I would regard my measures as radical enough to please my hon. Friend and I hope not too radical for him.