HC Deb 18 December 1967 vol 756 cc913-4
44. Mr. Mawby

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects to have the report on manpower demand for the next 10 years; and if he will publish the report.

Mr. Fernyhough

The Government are as a matter of course examining future employment prospects in all industries as part of their assessment of developments in the economy generally, but no special report is being prepared on the next 10 years.

Mr. Mawby

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most of the Opposition to the introduction of adult trained people arises from a sense of insecurity among those already engaged in industry? If an accurate study could be issued, surely it would reduce this sense of insecurity, and therefore allow for a much wider acceptance of adult, retrained employees?

Mr. Fernyhough

I readily accept that until we can remove the uncertainty we cannot get men to give up practices which they think are self-protecting.