HC Deb 18 December 1972 vol 848 c896
9. Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will initiate a study into the employment aspects of Government contracts in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Policy on Government contracts is kept under regular review.

Mr. John

That may reassure the right hon. and learned Gentleman but it reassures no one else. Is he aware that Government contracts placed in Wales are serviced by a contractor bringing in his own labour from other parts of the country, which is no good for unemployed building workers in Wales? This practice and the policy in other industry such as opencast mining are in urgent need of review because the employment feedback is not coming to Wales as it should.

Mr. Thomas

I am aware that many people want contractors to employ more local people than they do, but the employment of local labour is a matter for the contractor and the client. The Government cannot intervene. The main aim must be to complete the contract as economically and efficiently as possible.