§ 13. Mr. Albuasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will reconsider his decision not to continue to accept financial responsibility for United Kingdom participation in the international Apprentice Competition.
§ Mr. BryanThe matter for decision was whether my Department should assume the financial and administrative responsibility for the Competition previously carried by the City and Guilds of London Institute. I remain of the view that we should not accept this responsibility.
§ Mr. AlbuWould the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to reconsider this decision in view of the extreme importance throughout the country of maintaining a high standard of apprenticeship training and also because of the great opportunities this gives for us to demonstrate the high standard of industrial craftsmanship that exists in many of our industries?
§ Mr. BryanI appreciate the hon. Member's interest in this subject. It appears to be the considered judgment of the training boards and the industry that the cost and work involved do not correspond with the benefits arising from this competition.