HC Deb 14 March 1960 vol 619 cc897-9
1. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will initiate a national survey of the intentions of firms to increase their intake of apprentices and learners in 1961 and the succeeding years when there will be a large increase in the numbers of school-leavers.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Peter Thomas)

All industries were asked last year by the Industrial Training Council to assess their future training needs. Many foresee a need to increase their intake, though they feel unable to make precise forecasts.

More recently, in response to an appeal from the President of the British Employers' Confederation, 154 leading undertakings have indicated that it is their policy substantially to increase their intake of boys into skilled occupations during 1961, 1962 and 1963, and a further 62 undertakings have expressed general sympathy with this aim, though they felt unable to commit themselves definitely.

Mr. Prentice

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the 154 firms which gave this affirmative reply to the British Employers Confederation were from a total of over 300 firms, so that only about 50 per cent. gave a really positive reply? Secondly, will the Government themselves try to get an accurate survey made so that they will know how far industry is likely to supply the extra needs of the extra number of school leavers and how far the Government will have to try to fill the gap?

Mr. Thomas

I will accept the figures given by the hon. Gentleman. In reply to the second part of his supplementary question, I do not think there would be much value in duplicating the activities in which the I.T.C. and the B.E.C are already engaged. The Government are very concerned to stimulate industry as much as possible to increase its intake.

2. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a study of the financial and other methods used by foreign Governments to encourage firms to increase their intake of appren-times and learners, with a view to their possible adaptation to the needs of the United Kingdom.

Mr. P. Thomas

My right hon. Friend and I have already studied information about the rôle of government in apprenticeship and training questions in certain major industrial countries While recognising the value of many features of their systems in the national environments to which they belong, I am doubtful whether they could be successfully adapted to our own industrial climate.

Mr. Prentice

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some countries have increased the number of apprentices by some sort of differential tax system—for example, by having a special training levy for firms which employ skilled workers and by giving a rebate to those who train their share or more than their share? Is not this the time of the year when the Minister might usefully discuss these ideas with his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Thomas

I can assure the House that my right hon. Friend is keeping these matters well in mind all the time.

10. Mr. Albu

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the new Government scheme for training apprentices.

Mr. P. Thomas

Discussions are proceeding with both sides of industry, and my right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as they are concluded.

Mr. Albu

Does that statement of the Minister mean that the announcement in the Press that the Government intended to institute first-year apprenticeship courses in several Government establishments was premature? Also, in the discussions which are taking place, presumably on the basis of the premature announcement in the Press, has the first year been considered as a first year of the apprenticeship course, or is it to be a pre-apprenticeship year?

Mr. Thomas

The announcements in the Press were both premature and unauthorised. As regards the second matter raised by the hon. Gentleman, my right hon. Friend prefers not to make an announcement until he has reached agreement with both sides of industry.

Mr. Robens

How soon is shortly?

Mr. Thomas

Very soon.