§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list (a) the number of pieces of legislation introduced since March 1974 which have had some regulatory effect over industrial practices or prices and conditions under which goods and services are produced and the physical characteristics of products which are manufactured and (b) the number of agencies created under this legislation, and the growth in employees and expenditure for such agencies since March 1974.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldNo legislation has been introduced by my Department since March 1974 which has any general regulatory effect of the kinds specified in the hon. Member's question and accordingly no agencies have been created under any such legislation.
However, my right hon. Friend does have powers under the Industry Act 1975 and the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977 to give directions to the National Enterprise Board, British Aerospace and British Shipbuilders as to the exercice of their functions. No directions having any such regulatory effect have been given to any of these bodies.