HC Deb 22 May 1963 vol 678 cc420-1
23. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Minister of Labour what he estimates will be the annual output of retrained and rehabilitated people from his existing and proposed retraining centres in the Glasgow area; and what is the estimated number requiring retraining in the same area.

Mr. Whitelaw

I estimate the annual output from Government Training Centres will be about 1,000; the annual output from the Industrial Rehabilitation Unit: is about 870. It is not possible to estimate the number requiring retraining but the training programme has been geared to the expected redundancies and to supplying the needs of expanding industry in Scotland.

Mr. Carmichael

From the figures given in reply to previous Questions, would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the number of places required for retraining is much greater than 1,800 a year? Is he aware that I understand that frequently people are trained to do jobs such as welding, although there is a surplus of welders on the Clyde? Does not he think that a complete reappraisal of the training scheme policy, particularly in the old industrial areas, is urgen[...]ly required?

Mr. Whitelaw

I understand that in our retraining programme we are taking those matters into account.

Mr. Bence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it has been decided at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Bishopston to reduce the intake of apprentices in 1963 from 12 to 6, and how does he reconcile that with his statement?

Mr. Whitelaw

The hon. Gentleman has referred me to a particular instance. We must extend Government training facilities. Of course, one would hope that industries which are brought to Scotland will also extend their training facilities.