§ Q5. Mr. Ashley
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. There is already close co-ordination between all Departments concerned with the problems of unemployment.
§ Mr. AshleyIs the Prime Minister aware that 829,000 people in the dole queue today will receive that reply with unalloyed rapture? But, if the coordination is so marvellous, can the right hon. Gentleman explain why only 17,000 of those people are receiving any kind of Government-sponsored retraining?
§ The Prime MinisterI am anxious that more retraining should be accepted. There is space available. On 20th July my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment announced further measures to increase the amount of Government training. In particular, he announced that the training allowance would be substantially increased from 27th September. Employers in every region have been asked directly to use any spare capacity in their factories for the retraining of workers.
§ Mr. Idris OwenWould my right hon. Friend be prepared to receive a deputation from the North-West Industrial Development Association to discuss the subject of unemployment in the North-West?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have told the House, the association has been in communication with me. It has sent me a memorandum, which we have studied carefully, and I have replied to the association that I should be delighted to meet it to discuss this issue on the next occasion that I am in the Northwest.
§ Mr. LoughlinWill the Prime Minister recognise that his lethargic nonchalance is of no value to the 829,000 people now unemployed?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman's remarks bear no relationship to reality. The whole purpose of my right hon. Friend's measures, and those of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was to inject greater demand into the economy and to improve employment.
§ Mr. LoughlinStick to your yacht !