§ Mr. Ennalsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has been involved in the recent review of the operation of section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972; and whether, in relation to those areas of his Department's operations which are either currently affected by it or would be affected by it were the existing scope to be altered, he will take careful account of the interests and activities of voluntary organisations.
§ Sir George YoungI assume that the right hon. Gentleman has in mind the review of the means and powers employed by local authorities to assist industry and commerce, to which my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services referred in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Bottomley) on 3 March—[Vol. 1000, c.98–9]. The Department was not represented on the review group, but I have a copy of the group's report and will be conveying our views to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.