§ Lord O'HAGANasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that the Manpower Services Commission discriminates against premises and facilities owned privately but used by the public; and what steps they propose to take to remedy this bias towards State ownership.
The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EMPLOYMENT (The Earl of Gowrie)I understand that this question relates to the Youth Opportunities Programme and the Special Temporary Employment Programme. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission (MSC), which is responsible for the operation of these programmes, that one of the rules which govern the approval of schemes is that work undertaken should not lead to possible private gain. Any project to undertake work on privately owned property, even where it is being used by the public, is likely to enhance the subsequent value of the property and it is the MSC's policy not to approve such schemes. The MSC has considered whether there should be a relaxation in this rule, but has decided that any change could involve the misuse of public funds, and has no plans at the present time to alter this rule.