§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he has now received from the Construction Industry Manpower Board a copy of its report regarding continuity of employment in the industry; whether he will publish it; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether, pursuant to the reply by the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Mr. Armstrong) on 13th June 1977, the Construction Industry Manpower Board has made any further progress in assessing the effect of the 714 Scheme; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonI have now received the Board's second report, and have placed copies in the Library. It proposes a voluntary scheme for the registration of employers, certification of operatives, and other measures which together could make a welcome contribution towards greater stability of employment in the construction industry. I welcome the report, and believe that if it proves generally acceptable it will make an important contribution towards the improvement of industrial relations in the industry. I shall now seek the views of516W the trade unions and employers' association concerned.
The Board will now turn to consideration of Government measures to tackle abuse of the "lump", its first term of reference.