§ 35. Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Labour whether he will investigate the possibility of dividing the Engineering Industry Training Board into a number of smaller boards.
§ Mr. HattersleyNo, Sir, but we will continue to keep the scope of the board under review.
§ Mr. WellsBut is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain sections of the engineering industry, such as welding, are virtually completely separate industries and that it is absurd that there should be a general training board when there are these virtually separate industries within the industry?
§ Mr. HattersleyI know that there are areas of the industry covered by the Engineering Industry Training Board which are very different from the majority of the occupations which it covers, but there are substantial advantages in having them under one board. If the board thinks that it is necessary to make special provision for part of its concern, it is entitled to do so.