§ 21. Mr. Lambornasked the Secretary of State for Employment when the membership of district manpower committees will be announced.
§ Mr. John FraserI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the majority of chairmen and members of district manpower committees have now been appointed and that some committees have already held their first meeting. No announcement has been made nationally regarding the membership of these committees but I understand that publicity is given locally to the membership of individual committees.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the rôle of the district manpower committees; and whether such bodies will be free to comment on the problems of job creation, planning matters affecting employment and Government industrial policy as far as it affects particular areas.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that district manpower committees have been set up to give the Commission and its agencies advice and assistance under Section 2(1) of the Employment and Training Act 1973. There are 125 such committees based broadly on the district office network of the Employment Service Agency. In particular, committees have been asked to help the Commission and its agencies in identify454W ing the main employment trends and problems in their areas, and to advise on the Commission and agencies' plans to deal with them; to comment on the nature and quality of the manpower services in their areas; to bring these services to the attention of industry and the working population; and to advise on wider policy issues and developments affecting the Commission and its agencies.