§ 45. Mr. Luardasked the Minister of Labour how many vacant places are available in training centres in the Oxford area at the present time.
§ Mr. GunterThere are no Government training centres in the Oxford area.
§ Mr. LuardDoes my right hon. Friend not agree that, if training centres are to perform the function that they are supposed to perform, it is essential that they should be available in places where they are likely to be needed? Is he aware that, according to my information, nearly 60 people in the Oxford area have applied for places at training centres, and so far only two have been told that they may have a chance in a place about 30 miles away in four of five weeks' time?
§ Mr. GunterI must point out to my hon. Friend that it is not a feasible proposition to create a Government training centre in every area, especially when we are dealing with an immediate situation that I hope will not continue too long. I would also remind him that he mentioned the number of 60, which against the background of the total number of redundancies has not yet revealed the great desire of the majority of workers to take up training, and we are finding this throughout the country.