§ 28. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Labour what Provision is made, under the industrial training boards, for supplementary language tuition for immigrant trainees who may seek it to make their training more effective.
§ Mr. HattersleyFacilities for language tuition for immigrants are provided by the education Service and industrial training boards are free to recognise for grant purposes any costs incurred.
§ Sir G. SinclairAs a language difficulties are a main obstacle for many young immigrants who have not had much education in this country, will the hon. Gentleman, in consultation with his colleagues in the Department of Education and Science, not take more positive action towards helping them?
§ Mr. HattersleyIf the hon. Gentleman examines the recommendations of the 21 industrial training boards, he will find that virtually all of them allow language tuition, as long as the course is appropriate. The only bar placed on grant is according to the nature of the course. I think the hon. Gentleman will find that the Situation meets his demand.
§ Miss QuennellHave the recommendations in this respect been followed by all the boards concerned?
§ Mr. HattersleyMy information is that language tuition of some sort rates for grant in every board. However, I emphasise the words "of some sort". The recommendations vary from board to board, as one would anticipate, because boards are supposed to meet the specific demands of their own industries.