HC Deb 30 April 1958 vol 587 c347
1. Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking or will take to encourage industry to draw up detailed syllabuses for the training of apprentices.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Richard Wood)

The report "Training for Skill" recommended that each industry should consider the introduction of detailed training syllabuses in the light of its own circumstances. The report has been brought to the attention of the appropriate employers and workers organisations.

Mr. Moss

Does the Parliamentary Secretary recollect that the committee which investigated this matter recommended not tests but detailed syllabuses, which would be an advantage to some industries and ought to be considered by all? What are the Government doing to carry out that recommendation? I agree that it was suggested that it should be done by industry itself; nevertheless, the Ministry can do something.

Mr. Wood

I think the Committee took the view that, while detailed syllabuses could help to maintain high standards of training, the danger was that they might lead to inflexibility unless industry were enabled to make up its own mind in individual circumstances.