HC Deb 05 June 1967 vol 747 cc608-9
17. Sir J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Labour what proposals he has for securing trade union acceptance of retrained workers.

Mr. Gunter

Training in the various trades taught at Government training centres is in general the subject of agreement at national level with the two sides of the industries concerned. It follows that a trainee is normally accepted into employment with the co-operation of the appropriate trade union. In some areas, however, there are local difficulties in some trades and with some unions. Efforts are made to overcome these difficulties.

Sir J. Rodgers

I thank the Minister for that reply, and I think that he will agree with me that the industrial training boards are doing a very good job in shortening the period of apprenticeships. What progress has he made, first, at national level, in getting the co-operation of trade unionists, and, more important, as his previous answer suggested to me, breaking down resistance at the local level? What propaganda or other efforts is his Ministry undertaking to break down that resistance?

Mr. Gunter

The hon. Member will understand that I was talking about Government training centres. We have no objections so far as the industrial training boards are concerned. The trade unions are part of them. There are these difficulties with the Government training centres. We should see the matter in perspective. The co-operation of the trade unions over the whole field has been magnificent, but we have just about three spots where, despite all my exhortations and pleading, I do not seem to be getting anywhere.