§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will list the statutory powers, and other means available to him, to control or influence the number of people employed by, and the wage and salary bill of, local authorities or other public sector bodies not part of central government.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldI understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is replying as regards local authorities. I exercise statutory control in respect of the English Industrial Estates Corporation under the Local Employment Act 1972. As regards other public bodies with which I am concerned, there is consultation of a formal or informal nature, often in the course of discussion on financial estimates.