HC Deb 25 July 1978 vol 954 cc666-7W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many operatives and professional, clerical and administrative staff were employed in local authority direct labour building departments in April 1978 on (a) new housing, (b) other new work, (c) housing repairs and maintenance and (d) non-housing repairs and maintenance.

Mr. Armstrong

Following is the information:

OPERATIVES EMPLOYED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON CONSTRUCTION WORK, GREAT BRITAIN APRIL 1978
New work:
Housing 10,139
Non-Housing 10,773
Repair and maintenance:
Housing 73,592
Non-housing 68,271
All operatives 162,775

Local authorities employed 85,459 administrative, professional, technical and clerical staff on the design management and control of construction work which may be carried out either by direct labour or by contractors.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be in a position to publish (a) the final report of his working party on direct labour and (b) his consultation document in response to it, as promised in the Minister for Housing and Construction's reply of 23rd January.

Mr. Armstrong

My right hon. Friend is considering the report of the Working Party on Direct Labour, which he has just received, and will publish his consultation document in due course.