HC Deb 05 June 1967 vol 747 cc624-6
57. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that many skilled railwaymen have no real work to do as a result of modernisation; and whether he will consult British Railways and the appropriate trade unions to work out a programme of retraining for other occupations, inside or outside the railway industry.

Mr. Hattersley

Retraining facilities are already available for workers wishing to transfer to other occupations inside the railway industry. Suitable workers desiring retraining for work outside the industry can obtain this at Government training centres, of which there are at present 33 with 7,000 training places. By the spring of 1969 there will be 42, with 10,000 training places.

Mr. Roebuck

I recognise the tremendous work which the Government have done. However, is not my hon. Friend aware that there are many rail-waymen who are now not properly employed? Would he not agree that if modernisation is to proceed satisfactorily, it is essential that adequate retraining facilities should be available for men displaced by technological progress? Will my hon. Friend shake up the Railways Board?

Mr. Hattersley

I am conscious both of the need to make technological change and the need to retrain men displaced by it. That is why the Government have announced an expansion in Government training programmes, the full effects of which are embodied in the last part of my Answer.

58. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that many youths who joined British Railways from school as engine cleaners in the hope of progressing to footplate jobs will not be able to fulfil this ambition as a result of modernisation; and whether he will consult the Secretary of State for Education and Science, British Railways and the appropriate trade unions with a view to the provision of training which will eventually enable these youths to be employed in skilled occupations.

Mr. Hattersley

While long-term prospects of young men entering the industry are good, there are likely to be some short-term difficulties. Where these result in loss of training opportunities the Youth Employment Service will give help as required in finding alternative training opportunities for youths; facilities for retraining in Government training centres are available for suitable adults.

Mr. Roebuck

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are many vacancies in British Railways which are not suitable for boys who enter the service of British Railways with inferior educational quali- fications? Would it not be a good thing if, instead of hanging around doing nothing, these boys could get educational qualifications so that they could proceed to better jobs?

Mr. Hattersley

While they remain in the industry, their training is very much the concern of the Board. I have already told my hon. Friend that those who leave are having special provision made for them by the officers of the Youth Employment Service.

Mr. William Hamilton

Does not my hon. Friend recognise that there is not much incentive for youngsters to accept training with British Railways so long as the Government pursue the policy of closing British Railways workshops, as they are contemplating doing in a development area in West Fife?

Mr. Hattersley

I would not like anything in my previous Answers to suggest that there are not some substantial long-term gains to be made by boys who choose to enter British Railways and take up craft apprenticeships. The difficulties which I have outlined are immediate difficulties and it is to those that the Youth Employment Service is turning its attention.