§ 28. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Labour if he will widen the representation of the Industrial Training Council to include more persons from the field of education closely connected with the problem of juvenile employment, in particular persons from the Youth Employment Service, modern schools and technical colleges.
§ Mr. HeathThe Industrial Training Council was set up by the British Employers' Confederation, the Trades Union Congress, and the boards of the nationalised industries. The Government do not determine the Council's membership. At the Council's invitation, the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, Scottish Education Department, the Association of Technical Institutions and the City and Guilds of London Institute take part in the Council's work.
§ Mr. BoydenCould not the Minister make representations to this Council to widen its representation? Does he not think that fresh minds might be helpful to the Council?
§ Mr. HeathAs the hon. Gentleman will have heard, there is close relationship between the Council and the various Government bodies. In addition, three members of the Industrial Training Council are also members of the National Youth Employment Council, so that there is interlocking there. Four members of the Industrial Training Council are members of the Ministry of Education National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce.
§ Mr. HannanIs the Minister aware of the very critical situation in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow, where unemployment is now three-tenths higher than it was in 1957? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving this Industrial Training Council power to act, because at the moment it has no authority and no executive powers? That would be helpful in the circumstances.
§ Mr. HeathThis is a completely different question from the composition of the Council, but the Council is set up by industry itself and works through its own methods in industry.