HC Deb 26 July 1965 vol 717 cc28-9
39. Mr. Dan Jones

asked the Minister of Labour what guidance he has given to industrial training boards about the recommendations they are required to make regarding further education courses to be associated with the industrial training of young people.

Mr. Gunter

In the light of the advice which I have received from the Central Training Council about the importance of closely integrating further education and training, and bearing in mind the importance of increasing more rapidly the number of boys and girls receiving further education in association with industrial training, I have decided that I shall normally approve the proposals of industrial training boards only if they make it a condition of grants to employers that day release or the equivalent is provided for young people in occupations requireing a substantial amount of training.

Mr. Jones

Would my right hon. Friend enlarge on that reply, for which I thank him, by telling the House what he means by "substantial"? Will he say a little more about what is meant by "young people"?

Mr. Gunter

Generally speaking, I shall regard periods of training lasting a year or more as substantial, but there may be occasions when release for further education is desirable even though the training lasts less than a year. We have not defined nor sought to define "young person". It was suggested that we should lay down the age of 18, but we do not consider that to be wise, because there may be older people in need of this education.

Mr. Godber

The right hon. Gentleman has made an important statement about the development of the industrial training boards. I agree with him about this emphasis. Has he already taken decisions of this sort in connection with those boards which are already operating?

Mr. Gunter

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Boston

Will these welcome recommendations apply to the agriculture training board when it is set up? Can my right hon Friend confirm that he will take into account the very special needs of agriculture?

Mr. Gunter

I think that they will apply to that board, but I would rather see it set up before we start analysing it.

Mr. Lubbock

What estimate has been made of the additional places which will be required at technical colleges as a result of these decisions? Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted his right hon. Friend tie Secretary of State for Education and Science to make sure that those places will be available this autumn?

Mr. Gunter

I would like notice of the first question, because I do not have that information.