HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 cc16-7
23. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Labour what retraining facilities are available in North Devon to deal with the increasing number of unemployed.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

There are no Government Training Centres in North Devon. Unemployed people who both want and are suitable for the accelerated training for skill undertaken at Government Training Centres may be able to train at the newly opened Centre at Plymouth or at the Bristol Government Training Centre.

Mr. Mills

May I ask the hon. Lady whether she is sure that Plymouth is adequately covered? Bearing in mind the long distance which people have to travel, would not she agree that what is needed is a sub-centre in North Devon to deal with this problem?

Mrs. Williams

We have to place Government training centres as far as possible near the centres of population and near industry. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that Plymouth has only just started. I think that we had better wait to see how far it can meet the needs of the area.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. We are grateful that the Government have reopened a training centre which was closed by the previous Tory Government. Already all the places in Plymouth are fully occupied. Will my hon. Friend please consider opening another retraining centre, possibly in Exeter?

Mrs. Williams

I thank my hon. Friend for her remarks. They will certainly be taken into consideration.