§ 19. Mr. Prenticeasked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the studies carried out in his Department on the differential training levy which operates in France; and whether he has any plans to introduce a similar scheme in this country.
§ Mr. HareI am making a close study of this complex question, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeCan the Minister give the House any idea when he will make a statement? May I remind him of his replies to an earlier Question about the need for permanent improvement in apprenticeship training? Is he aware that one of the problems is not so much of the firm which gives no training, but of the firm which poaches skilled workers who have been trained elsewhere? Have not the French Government had a scheme for some years which has met the problem better than any alternative that we know of?
§ Mr. HareAs I told the hon. Member in July, these are far-reaching and important issues which will need considerable care and attention before any decisions can be announced. I cannot give any guarantee about when I can make an announcement on the matter. Meanwhile, we should not decry our own system too much.