§ 5. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity 1700 what additional training facilities he intends to provide on Tyneside; and what discussions he has arranged with the training boards and the trades unions on this subject.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithMy right hon. Friend will announce the Government's proposals in respect of all areas and arrange necessary discussions when he has completed his full review of training needs.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs not that reply rather disappointing in view of the very clear promise by hon Members opposite before the election of increased facilities for training, and particularly in view of the very high and increasing proportion of unskilled men out of work?
§ Mr. SmithWe are well aware of the difficulties in the hon. Gentleman's area. That is why we are having a thorough review of all training activities. But the primary need in the hon. Gentleman's area is jobs, and training is ancillary.
§ 6. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether he will arrange to use the facilities available at certain technical colleges on Tyneside for general engineering training for the younger unemployed in the area.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion in our review of industrial training needs.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs the hon. Gentleman aware of certain correspondence with his Department that has already taken place? If any further proposals are put up, will they be considered?
§ Mr. SmithCertainly they will be considered. The view has been taken until now that industrial-type courses are best tackled through Government training centres, but there is a possibility of a certain type of industrial course through the training colleges. We are prepared to look at that further.