HC Deb 01 April 1971 vol 814 cc1674-5
Q7. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Employment in the operation of the Industrial Selection Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. There is already close co-ordination between the two Departments and the local authorities concerned.

Mr. Fraser

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction with the scheme, since the decline in employment of women, and in unskilled occupations and the general range of employment, because of general unemployment, has led to people in the worst kind of housing conditions in places like London finding great difficulty in getting into the new towns? Would he set up an inquiry to look thoroughly at this scheme and at the range of employment and job opportunity which it provides?

The Prime Minister

I know that there are difficulties in operating this scheme so that it can be used to provide housing and jobs for people who are in need of both. If the hon. Gentleman has any specific examples of these difficulties, I should be glad to receive them and then to have them inquired into, in the light of which I would consider asking my right hon. Friend to carry out a complete review.

Back to