§ 1. Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made with the experimental training course for apprentices; how many have been enrolled; from what areas they cane; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. John Hare)I take it that the hon. Member Ls referring to the course for apprentices not sponsored by their employers, which I am establishing at Tursdale, County Durham. I hope training may start in about three months' time.
§ Mr. OwenWhat does the Minister anticipate will emerge from a training course based on a period of one year's training? Is he aware that unless the scheme is directly linked with industry and these young people are assured of employment at the completion of their course, they are going to be exceedingly frustrated and the whole experiment will fail?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Gentleman is trying to prophesy that these young people will not get employment. My officers are certainly going to spare no 382 efforts Ito ensure that they do get employment, and I think that the hon. Gentleman's pessimism will prove not to be justified.