§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the complexity of the issues involved and their potentially far-reaching implications, he will give an assurance that he will not seek to require the Construction Industry Manpower Board to report to him under an imposed time limit; and whether he will outline the reasons for his decision on this matter.
§ Mr. ArmstrongBecause the need for improving stability of employment has been a fundamental problem in the construction industry for far too long, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction wrote to the chairman of the Board saying that he hoped, as the chairman did, that the Board88W would be able to put forward agreed proposals in the autumn.
§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why there was a gap from July 1975 to February 1976 between the announcement of the Construction Industry Manpower Board and the settling of its membership and terms of reference and a further gap to May 1976 before it first met.
§ Mr. ArmstrongIn the period between the announcement of the intention to set up the Construction Industry Manpower Board and its establishment there were consultations on the membership with the interested bodies. Following the setting up of the Board and before its first meeting the chairman had separate discussions with each individual member.