HC Deb 30 January 1973 vol 849 cc1149-50
14. Mr. Kinsey

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to introduce legislation to set up the Manpower Services Commission.

Mr. Macmillan

As soon as possible.

Mr. Kinsey

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. However, I hope that it will be sooner than possible, because this commission is so important to our manpower resources and to his future plans for dealing with redundancy and unemployment problems in the country today.

Mr. Macmillan

I fully accept the importance of the Manpower Services Commission. I intend to set it up as soon as possible after the necessary legislation has been passed through Parliament. I hope to publish the Bill in a month or two.

Mr. Concannon

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the situation now appertaining in the knitwear industry—I can speak only for the Mansfield hosiery mills—as we are possibly on the verge of the first racial strike to take place in this country, with a view to asking the Home Secretary to turn over certain of his powers to the commission?

Mr. Macmillan

The Manpower Services Commission will not be concerned. initially at any rate, with that sort of problem. I am aware of the difficulties. The House will be aware that there was a difficult situation in another part of the country not long ago. Fortunately, it was resolved by an inquiry which was set up and dealt with it very speedily.

Sir P. Bryan

When the Commission is fully established will it be the direct employer of the staff at the employment centres, the GTCs, the ITBs, and so on. or will they be employed and paid by the Department?

Mr. Macmillan

We are now discussing this matter with the staff side. Their position and status are fully secure and, whichever way round the actual detail is worked, it will be worked out in agreement with the staff side concerned.