HC Deb 26 July 1965 vol 717 cc11-2
14. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for increasing training and re-training in Fife and the east of Scotland generally.

Mr. Gunter

As I announced on 22nd June in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones), a further expansion of Government training centres has been authorised, which includes a new centre at Edinburgh. There will also be some expansion of the existing centre at Dunfermline.

Mr. Hamilton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since that announcement a further statement has been made by the Minister of Power which means an accelerated closure of pits in central West Fife, in particular? Is he satisfied that the announcement to which he refers takes account of that situation, in view of a likelihood of an increased number of miners wanting retraining?

Mr. Gunter

As my hon. Friend knows, we have been looking very carefully at the position as it was outlined by the Minister of Power. All I can tell him at this stage is that we are watching it carefully, particularly in the light of training needs.