HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 c25
40. Mr. Heffer

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to increase the training or retraining of workers on Merseyside, in view of the increase in unemployment in that area.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Liverpool already has one of the largest Government Training Centres in the country. However, as my right hon. Friend told the House on 24th October, we are urgently examining what further expansion of Centres in the short term is possible. Most training needed by unemployed workers is at semi-skilled level and is best given in industry itself. We are examining with the industrial training boards ways in which they might help with the immediate re-training problem.

Mr. Heffer

Would not my hon. Friend agree that it is vital that this service be expanded in view of the fact that there was a rise in unemployment of approximately 3,000 in the last month and the number of workers trained last year was just over 500? Would she look at the matter again and endeavour to speed up activities in this direction?

Mrs. Williams

The possibility of a second Government training centre on Merseyside is under consideration at present.