§ 65. Mr. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has received to his consultation document on local authority direct labour departments.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe consultation document was sent to the local authority associations, professional and trade bodies and the trade unions, most of whom have replied. In addition, a number of individual local authorities have offered views making a total of some 63 in all and I am very grateful for the considerable efforts which all the respondents have put in. Most replies have confirmed our view that there is a need for legislation on local authority direct labour and have in general supported our detailed proposals for making direct labour organisations more accountable.