§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to take reserve powers to direct local authorities to provide specific details of their manpower establishments, department by department; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeseltineLocal authorities are already co-operating with the Government in the compilation and publication of total manpower figures by the joint manpower watch. We are currently developing with the local authority associations and professional bodies concerned a code of practice for the publication of all kinds of performance information by local authorities including more detailed manpower information.
Clause 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Bill will give me powers to make regulations to make part or all of the code compulsory if that should prove necessary.