§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations took place, and with what bodies, concerning his decision to withdraw support from the demolition and dismantling industry register coupled with the declaration of intent on direct employment contained in the working rules for the National Joint Council for the Building Industry.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI consulted the registration council of the demolition and dismantling industry register before my announcement on 13 November that demolition firms would no longer be required to be members of the register in order to join the Property Services Agency's approved list of contractors. I also sought the views of the Association of County Councils, the Association of District Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, and received representations from the National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses. With regard to the declaration of intent contained in the working rules of the National Joint Council for the Building Industry, I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer) on 18 December 1980.