HC Deb 05 July 1966 vol 731 cc230-1
15. Mr. Hamling

asked the Minister of Technology what discussions he has had with leaders of the engineering industry on implementing those parts of the Plan for Engineering for which his Department is responsible.

Mr. Benn

Continuing discussion with industry on the implementation of the National Plan is one of the principal activities of my Department. The range of industries is too large and the discussions are too numerous for me to itemise them.

Mr. Hamling

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his appointment. Is he aware that the trade unions in the engineering industry are most anxious to give every assistance they can towards implementing the National Plan and making the engineering industry much more efficient than it has ever been?

Mr. Benn

I am, of course, aware of that. The Plan for Engineering, published in 1951 and again in 1953 by the Confederation, deals with many of the issues now the subject of consultation between my Department and the unions concerned.

Mr. David Price

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman will from time to time publish a revision of the National Plan? I think he will agree that a five-year plan ought to be revised after the second or third year when it is clear that it has not been fulfilled in its earlier years, so that the objectives are at least realistic?

Mr. Benn

This would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs but, in so far as it affects industries which my Department is responsible for sponsoring, we will keep the position under review.

Sir Harmar Nicholls

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay special attention to apprenticeship schemes? It looks as though the apprenticeship period should be reduced from five years to three in many cases.

Mr. Benn

We are in consultation about this matter with the Ministry of Labour.