§ 66. Mr. Hoosonasked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to set up a Government training centre in North or Mid-Wales in the near future; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsNo. The number of people from North and Mid-Wales who want and are suitable for the training in skilled trades given at Government training centres is not large enough to justify the establishment of a centre in either area. People from these areas can attend centres on Merseyside or in South Wales where, as my right hon. Friend told the House on 30th November, additional centres are to be built as part of our next expansion programme.—[Vol. 737, c. 460–72.]
§ Mr. HoosonIs the right hon. Lady aware that her reply is highly unsatisfactory? It is difficult for people from North and Mid-Wales to go to South Wales or, indeed, to Merseyside, for retraining. Is not there a case for a small retraining centre in North or Mid-Wales?
§ Mrs. WilliamsThere is a lower limit below which it becomes uneconomic to run a Government training centre because of the need to employ managers and instructors effectively. But, in the light of what is happening in one other centre, a much smaller centre than the normal level, it might be possible to consider the 34 hon. and learned Gentleman's suggestion at a later stage.