23. Dr. Bray askedthe Minister of Labour what further steps he will take to train skilled manpower for the recently announced industrial estate on Tees-side; and whether he will establish an apprentice-training school for the estate forthwith, in view of the continuing high level of youth unemployment in the North-East.
§ Mr. GodberAs already announced, I am establishing a Government training centre at Billingham to provide 216 training places which I hope will be ready to start training in the autumn. In addition, the North-East Training Council with Government assistance has launched a Group Apprentice Training Scheme which includes the availability of full-time apprentice training places at the I.C.I. training school.
§ Dr. BrayIs the Minister aware that these provisions were made before the announcement of the new industrial trading estate on Tees-side, and that if the trading estate is to employ anything like the numbers which the President of the Board of Trade has announced it will employ, many more skilled men will be needed? Will not the right hon. Gentleman take further steps in this matter? Is he not aware that the number of unemployed boys in the North-East is higher than it was at this time last year and that the provision which he has made for their employment is about a tenth of what it should be?
§ Mr. GodberI am aware of the considerable number involved here, and this is a source of worry to me. That is one 698 reason why I was happy to be able to make arrangements with I.C.I. at Billingham for a special course for fifty unemployed boys, which will, I hope, be continued at a later intake. There are also, of course, various provisions at the local education authority technical training colleges to assist those who are remaining in the educational sphere. However, if it should be shown that there is a need in this particular estate and that we can provide the necessary additional men for training, I shall be very happy to look into that.
§ Dr. BrayWhat does the Minister mean by "if it should be shown"? Is he waiting for the need to arise in about three years' time when the men will be needed? Cannot he anticipate the demand?
§ Mr. GodberWe have stepped up our training programme very much in the whole north east area. The hon. Member must be aware of that. The very substantial increase concerning Billingham is only one aspect of the matter. If there is further need, I am willing to study it, but we must get this initial programme going.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsWill my right hon. Friend agree that some of the responsibility in this matter falls on free enterprise which is willing to accept responsibility if only the understandable hesitations of trade unions can be broken down? May I ask him yet again whether he can take an initiative to find some accommodation in this matter?
§ Mr. GodberOne of the problems in particular industries is getting classes started. I discussed this matter with certain representatives of the trade unions in the North-East only a few days ago. I put to them very strongly ray feeling that it was necessary to anticipate demand to some extent. But it is not always easy to assist with additional training by overcoming people's feelings when there are men out of work. This is a point of which people must take account