§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects his working party on direct labour to report; and whether he will recommend to its chairman that it begins to take oral evidence forthwith, while still studying the written evidence submitted, in order to make speedier progress.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe departmental working party is now giving urgent consideration to accounting, charging and tendering arrangements and aims to report on that subject as soon as possible, before turning to other matters within its terms of reference.
Progress might be delayed by formal sessions for oral evidence, but my officials are ready to receive written or oral views and report them to the working party; they have already received a deputation from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers on the subject.