§ 18. Mr. Moreasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representation he has received from the building industry about the supply of new entrants to the industry.
§ Mr. PrenticeNo specific representations have been received, but this subject has been discussed at meetings of my National Consultative Council and Regional Joint Committees. The work of the Construction Industry Training Board is having an increasing effect and deserves the full support of everyone in the industry.
§ Mr. MoreIs the Minister aware that the rate of recruitment of apprentices to the building crafts is showing signs of falling off? Does he realise that unless some serious steps are taken to relieve the industry of S.E.T., the Minister may be responsible for a manpower shortage in the industry in the near future?
§ Mr. PrenticeI concede that S.E.T. has to be paid on trainees, as for other workers, but this is more than offset by the training grant which is paid by the Training Board. I am afraid that some firms still seem to be unaware of the fact that they can claim that training grant, and we ought to do what we can to draw their attention to this very important point.
§ Mr. HefferWhile this is true, could not my right hon. Friend make some representations to some of his fellow Ministers in order to have S.E.T. removed from apprentices entering the industry?
§ Mr. PrenticeAs I said in reply to an earlier question, the operation of S.E.T. is continually under review, and I am sure that this point will be noted by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkIs the Minister aware that, while it is known that his predecessor was against imposing S.E.T. upon the building industry and while it is widely suspected that the right hon. Gentleman is himself against it, is he aware that it is felt that he is not doing enough among his colleagues to get rid of it?
§ Mr. PrenticeI am surprised at the suggestion that I do not share the views of my right hon. Friends.