asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions the Construction Industry Manpower Board has reached regarding information needed to assess the effect of the "714" scheme; how this information is being collected; and over what period of time.

The Board has arranged to obtain information from my Department's Annual Private Contractors Construction Census and from the Inland Revenue on the outcome of applications for tax deduction certificates. The Board is reviewing the information it requires at its next meeting and it will continue to obtain the necessary information for as long as may be thought appropriate.