§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give details of the committee structure through which he proposes to consult the construction industry, bearing in mind the Matthew-Shillington report's comments on his sponsoring role, and the fact that the two innovations referred to in paragraph 21 of the then Secretary of State's decision letter of 4 March 1975 no longer hold good.
§ Mr. StanleyMy right hon. Friend and I have already met the construction industry "Group of Eight", and are attending meetings of the economic development committees for building and for civil engineering. I shall be taking the chair at forthcoming meetings of the National Consultative Council and its standing committee on building materials, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State has chaired a meeting of the standing committee for sub-contractors. My right hon. and hon. Friends and I have also met representatives of the industry on a number of informal occasions. In the light of all these contacts we shall consider whether there is scope for improving the formal arrangements for consultation with the industry.