§ 7. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the national importance of increasing the supply of highly skilled craftsmen and highly qualified technicians, he will consider publishing annually, in co-operation with the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Education, a fuller and more comprehensive report on the practical and theoretical training of young people in their early years in industry than is at present available.
§ Sir W. MoncktonTo produce a comprehensive report on this subject it would be necessary to make a detailed enquiry throughout industry, and in present circumstances I do not think I should be justified in undertaking an inquiry on this extensive scale. I agree that the subject is of great importance, and it may be possible to consider the suggestion of the hon. Member at some future date.
§ Mr. MacPhersonI am grateful for the the last part of the right hon. and learned Gentleman's answer. Will he bear in mind that this is one of the parts of our general manpower problem about which we know very little, comparatively speaking, and that it is really extremely important? Will he also bear in mind that a considerable number of interesting and useful experiments are being made at the instance of enlightened firms, which it would be all to the good to have widely discussed throughout the country?
§ Sir W. MoncktonIt was precisely those facts, and others like them, which made me sympathetic to the suggestion of the hon. Member, but he will find that it would not be my Department only but employers and trade unions also who would have to do the work.