HC Deb 03 April 1963 vol 675 cc442-3
31. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has halted apprentice intake at Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich.

32. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of concern arising from the decision to close down the apprentices training school at Woolwich when this will take effect; and, in view of the need for expansion of training centres for young people, what is being done to utilise the equipment and staff.

Mr. Profumo

No decision has been taken to close down the First Year Apprentice Training Shop at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich. All that I have decided to do at present is to suspend the normal intake of new apprentices for one year.

About 150 apprentices are already under training at the factory. As the number of craftsmen available to train them is being reduced, a new intake of apprentices next September would overload the apprentice training capacity of the factory.

Mr. Mayhew

Why did the Minister not wait for the result of the inquiry which he set up before he took this serious step? Is not this an extremely bad time at which to close down even temporarily any apprentice training establishment? Is the right hon. Gentleman not setting a very bad example to private enterprise?

Mr. Profumo

It has been closed only to one year's intake and when the inquiry is finished we will decide on its future. I had to do this, otherwise we would have overloaded the percentage in terms of people being trained compared with the number of craftsmen available. I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to see whether there is any other way we could do this.

Mr. Dodds

While I am aware that no decision has been taken to close down the establishment, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that in a town which is suffering so badly from creeping paralysis as a result of decisions taken by the Government this seems very ominous? Can the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, give an undertaking that this valuable equipment and the highly skilled staff will not become redundant in any circumstances?

Mr. Profumo

I do not think that I can add to what I have said about the consultations which I am having with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, or indeed add to what my right hon. Friend said about the general situation when he answered a Question two days ago.

Mr. Mayhew

What is to happen to the pre-apprenticeship learners employed at the Arsenal? Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if they miss the chance of training there they will not be denied it elsewhere in Government service?

Mr. Profumo

I am looking into all these matters at present.

Mr. Dodds

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.