HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 cc363-4
4. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take on the recommendations in the recent Report of the Industrial Training Council on the problem of the bulge in certain special areas.

8. Mrs. White

asked the Minister of Labour what action he intends to take to implement the latest proposals of the Industrial Training Council concerning Government finance for training young entrants to industry.

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

My right hon. Friend is considering these recommendations. He intends to consult the National Youth Employment Council on them at the Council's next meeting in January, and will keep the House informed.

Mr. Prentice

Will the Minister show rather more urgency in these matters? Is he aware that the extra number of school leavers start leaving the schools in less than eight months' time now? Is he aware that the Minister's speech at the conference of the Industrial Training Council yesterday caused a lot of disappointment among people in close touch with the problem, because he still seems to be relying on exhortations instead of taking more positive steps in industrial training?

Mr. Thomas

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there will be no avoidable delay in reaching conclusions on this Report. These proposals have been under consideration for some time and they deserve careful attention.

Mrs. White

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the labour correspondent of The Times said recently that, owing to the Government's delay in taking action on this and cognate matters, it is probably too late now for Government intervention to make any appreciable difference to the problem of the three-year bulge of school leavers? Will the hon. Gentleman get some sense of urgency into dealing with matters which have been under consideration for months past?

Mr. Thomas

I assure the hon. Lady that we have a sense of urgency in the matter. The impact of the bulge will not take place until the middle of 1961 and will continue for some time thereafter. I am quite sure that the proper thing to do is to consult the National Youth Employment Council and find out its views before any decision is made.

Mr. Lee

Following the speech of the right hon. Gentleman the Minister yesterday, when he pointed out that there would be a 90,000 increase next year and a 160,000 increase in 1962, may I ask what are the tangible measures that the Government propose to take to meet the serious situation which results in more and more school leavers going into blind-alley jobs instead of into trades?

Mr. Thomas

Government policy on the matter has been put repeatedly not only to the House but to the country generally. Prime responsibility for industrial training remains with industry, and industry is making a great effort to increase the intake of apprentices and other people for training in progressive jobs.