Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 16 Mawrth 1964.
Mr Anthony Bourne-Arton
, Darlington
12:00,
16 Mawrth 1964
asked the Minister of Labour what he is doing to give effect to the Industrial Training Act.
Mr Joseph Godber
, Grantham
I have circulated to the interested industrial organisations draft schedules setting out the activities which I propose should be covered by Industrial Training Boards for the engineering and construction industries, and I am publicising these definitions. I shall take into account any views which these organisations may have before making Industrial Training Orders for these two industries. I shall be circulating similar drafts for the iron and steel and wool textiles industries in the near future. I am happy to inform the House that Sir John Hunter has agreed to become Chairman of the Central Training Council which I hope to set up next month.
Mr Anthony Bourne-Arton
, Darlington
Will my right hon. Friend accept how helpful that will be to the North-East, and how welcome it will be particularly to the North-East, to hear that Sir John Hunter has agreed to serve? Will my right hon. Friend accept the grateful thanks of those of us who have been pressing this sort of action upon him, and will he keep up the good work?
Mr Joseph Godber
, Grantham
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. We shall certainly endeavour to keep up the good work.
Mr Reginald Prentice
, East Ham North
The right hon. Gentleman has told the House that he is circulating a draft of his definition of the industries for the two boards. Can he give a forecast of how long it will be before he can produce an industrial training order in relation to these two industries? What does he expect the timing to be before the first boards are appointed? Secondly, what steps is he taking to build up a larger team at the centre to provide central planning for this whole operation? Can he say how the present size of his training Division compares with what it was a year ago?
Mr Joseph Godber
, Grantham
I should not like to tie myself down specifically in answering the first part of that supplementary question. I have asked for representations to come back to me on these definitions by 3rd April in respect of the construction industry and by 10th April in respect of the engineering industry. I am seeking to make progress as quickly as I can. I should not like to say specifically how soon thereafter I can set up these boards.
As to the other part of the supplementary question, the training branch has been increased considerably and it is certainly working at full pressure at present. We have engaged a number of extra people, but I could not give the figure without notice.
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