§ 9. Mr. Fitchasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider appointing a director of housing or a housing manager to the working party which was recently set up to review the operation and structure of direct labour organisations.
§ Mr. FreesonAn assistant director in the Greater London Council's housing maintenance department attends as an observer and the working party will seek advice from other experts in this field.
§ Mr. FitchWould it not be better for the Minister to appoint someone in a full-time capacity rather than as an observer? Does he not agree that someone with the expertise of a director of housing should be a member of the working party?
§ Mr. FreesonI am reluctant to increase the size of the working party. I assure my hon. Friend that the observer is a participating attender. The special representation from the local government side is nominated by the local authority associations. It includes finance officers, works directors, city engineers, county surveyors, and architects. However, I shall bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind should we decide to increase the size of the working party.
§ Mr. Michael LathamWhen is the working party likely to report?
§ Mr. FreesonI am not in a position to say.