§ 7. Mr. Sainsburyasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many self-financing productivity schemes are currently being monitored by his Department.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerMy Department has been informed of about 520 productivity schemes which the employer concerned has confirmed to be fully self-financing.
§ Mr. SainsburyIs the Minister satis-field that 69 staff in his Department, with a number of other duties, are enough to monitor these schemes sufficiently closely to satisfy those who are not the beneficiaries of such schemes that they are genuinely self-financing?
§ Mr. WalkerWhether their number is adequate, the staff are hard-pressed but coping very well. I am glad to have this opportunity to pay tribute to them. As to the extent to which the schemes are self-financing, I hope that the hon. Gentleman will recognise that while the policy is voluntary the vetting of self-financing productivity schemes is conducted in relation to the paragraph 16 sanctions. I hope that in addition the hon. Gentleman has seen the Written Reply from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, which shows the role that the Price Commission will have.