§ 11. Mr. Bostonasked the Minister of Labour what progress he is making in setting up a training board for the agricultural industry.
§ Mr. GunterExploratory discussions with the industry about a training board for agriculture have begun and I hope that good progress will have been made by the end of the year.
§ Mr. BostonDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that the outcome of these discussions is eagerly awaited? Can he give any further indication of when the board will be set up?
§ Mr. GunterI could not give any firm date, but it will be appreciated that many organisations will have to be consulted, including those in industries which are, so to speak, on the fringe of the agricultural industry. At this stage I can only say that I hope that we shall have made very good progress with our discussions with the industry by the end of the year.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWhile welcoming what the right hon. Gentleman has said, may I ask whether he will press on with this matter so that the existing training schemes, such as the Y.M.C.A's. "British Boys for British Farms" scheme, can co-operate fully with the plans of the training board?
§ Mr. GunterYes, Sir.