HC Deb 09 May 1967 vol 746 cc1267-8
29 and 30. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Minister of Power (1) if he will give a general direction to the Gas Council to intensify their recruitment and training programmes for gas fitters, in order that the conversion of appliances to use natural gas may be carried out by employees of the area boards or by a special organisation set up for the purpose by the Gas Council itself;

(2) if he will give a general direction to the Gas Council that in the conversion of appliances to burn natural gas the maximum use should be made of direct labour and that the use of outside contractors be reduced to the absolute minimum.

Mr. Freeson

The gas boards are likely to need both direct labour and outside contractors for the many tasks associated with the rapid absorption of natural gas, of which conversion of appliances is only one. The boards must be left to decide how this work can best be carried out bearing in mind that conversion teams must be mobile and the men will not be required as part of the industry's permanent labour force.

Mr. Carmichael

Does my hon. Friend realise that, if too much of this work is taken outside the boards, bearing in mind that most of the recruits in any new organisation will come from those employees, many employees will be disillusioned and that this will do the industry's future no good?

Mr. Freeson

I understand my hon. Friend's point. The boards are aware of the need for training facilities and have organised themselves accordingly, and I am sure that they will make the best possible use of the labour available to them now in the industry.

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