§ 16. Dr. Gilbertasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now in a position to announce his proposals for legislation consequent upon the recommendations of the Crowther Report.
§ Mr. RidleyI cannot yet add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on 25th October, 1971.—[Vol. 823, c. 228.]
§ Dr. GilbertWhy is the Minister's Department so sluggish and unenthusiastic about implementing this admirable Report which deals with some longstanding, very serious social problems? Does any draft legislation on this matter exist in the Department?
§ Mr. RidleyThe Report was very long and complex and contained proposals for two separate pieces of legislation. These require extensive consultation and study. We are proceeding with the consultations and the study, and in due course I hope that these will lead to legislation. The hon. Gentleman must not hurry us beyond the right pace.
§ Mr. Harold LeverSo that the House does not have the horrible feeling that it is impetuously pushing the Minister on, will he, for the information of the House, and to reassure the House, state when the studies which led to the Crowther Report were put in hand by the Treasury and when we may expect to see some tangible impact of this Report in the form of suitable legislation being enacted?
§ Mr. RidleyI would hate to give specific dates in answer to the right hon. Gentleman without being sure that they were correct. We recognise the importance of this matter and we hope to proceed. The right hon. Gentleman knows that it is important to get the matter right and not to rush it.