§ 31. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of apprentices in Scotland is now enrolled in some form of day- or block-release education, giving boys and girls separately.
§ Mr. MillanSeparate figures for apprentices are not available, but of all young persons under 18 in insured employment, 24.1 per cent. of males and 4.7 per cent. of females were enrolled in day-release or block-release vocational courses in session 1965–66.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my hon. Friend aware that some industrialists are still very loth to send apprentices for further education? Is he aware, too, that some industrialists are still not training their own apprentices? Have the Government any proposal in mind for dealing with this serious problem, because we must have the craftsmen necessary to sustain the country's economy?
§ Mr. MillanWe have this very much in mind, and it is a condition of the levy grant scheme under the Industrial Training Act that schemes stipulate release—either day-release or release in some other way. We at present look upon this as being much the most fruitful way of increasing the numbers attending day-release courses, where we certainly still need a considerable extension to achieve a satisfactory position.