HC Deb 11 February 1960 vol 617 cc633-4
12. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure close co-operation between the staffs of technical schools and colleges and the managers of industry and to promote an increase in the number of apprenticeships and learnerships as the number of school-leavers grows.

Sir D. Eccles

Co-operation is steadily improving through representation on governing bodies, college advisory committees, regional advisory councils and youth employment committees. Local education authorities are extending their facilities for providing the technical education parallel to the practical training provided by industry. I am considering how the colleges can work together with industry further to increase the number of such trainees.

19. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education on what date he received a letter, dated 29th January, from Newcast Foundries Limited, of Silverdale, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on the subject of apprenticeships and learnerships; what reply he has made; and what action he proposes to take.

Sir D. Eccles

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary received a letter on 1st February, the main purpose of which was to seek the continued deferment of National Service for two former employees of this firm who had completed their apprenticeship. He informed the writer on 4th February that he had asked the Ministry of Labour to reply direct.

Mr. Swingler

Would the Minister or his Parliamentary Secretary consider doing a bit more than that? Is the right hon. Genleman aware that this matter arose out of the Parliamentary Secretary lecturing firms on the need to create more apprenticeships and that small firms like this do not like being lectured in that way when their apprentices are being called up as soon as they have completed their training? Would the right hon. Gentleman, on educational grounds, make representations to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour about this subject?

Sir D. Eccles

This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, and he is now dealing with it.