§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry under what enactment relevant to his Department, other than the Industry Act 1975, Section 7(1), he is enabled to issue general and specific directions: and whether he is contemplating extending this facility to other State corporations in his charge.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldApart from the Industry Act 1975, the Secretary of State has powers of direction under the following enactments: the Post Office Act 1969; the Iron & Steel Act 1975; the Iron and Steel (Amendment) Act 1976.
Powers of direction are the subject of one of the recommendations in the report on the nationalised industries published by NEDO last month. The Government will be publishing their conclusions on the NEDO recommendations in a White Paper next year.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry on how many occasions he has made use of the powers vested in him by Section 7(1) of the Industry Act 1975.
§ Mr. VarleyI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Dean) today.