§ 35. Mr. Mossasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the constitution and scope of the proposed national apprenticeship council.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Richard Wood)The British Employers' Confederation, the Trades Union Congress and the Boards of the Nationalised Industries have decided to establish a council whose functions will include those suggested in paragraphs 84–86 of the report "Training for Skill". I am not in a position to make any further statement at present, but discussions are continuing and it is expected that the council will be set up in about a month's time.
§ Mr. MossIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his answer will give great satisfaction to those who are interested in the training of our young people? Further, does he recollect that the Carr Committee said that the national apprenticeship council should receive full co-operation from the Ministries of Labour and Education, and can he say how this co-operation between the Ministries and the national apprenticeship council has been brought about? Finally, has he considered whether it would be advisable to have someone on the council from technical education?
§ Mr. WoodThe question of whom the council eventually invites to join it in its deliberations and work is, obviously, a matter for the council to decide, and I cannot say more now; but I am quite certain that it will bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman has said when making a decision.