HC Deb 25 March 1971 vol 814 cc867-8
14. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he can now give the number of apprentices who will become redundant with Rolls-Royce Limited; and what plans he has to allow them to continue with their apprenticeship.

Mr. Bryan

I understand it is unlikely that there will be apprentices among the Rolls-Royce redundancies announced on 8th March. My Department and the Engineering Industry Training Board will do their best to help any future redundant apprentices to continue their training by placing them with other firms.

Mr. Hamilton

I sincerely thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but if, by some misfortune, any of these lads become redundant, will he ensure that they are fully assisted in carrying out their trade in our training centres?

Mr. Bryan

On future redundancies, of course, the full resources of my Department are being made available to assist employees who become redundant. With regard to apprentices, my Department is certainly in touch with the situation and is standing by to see what may be required in future, if anything further is required. I was on the telephone this morning to the E.I.T.B. and they told me that they are willing to take any first-year apprentices on to their own payroll. We shall see how much further we can go if it is required.

Mr. Douglas

I echo my hon. Friend's thanks to the Minister. The present is covered, but would he accept that the future of engineering apprenticeships in Scotland is very important? Would he do his utmost to ensure that other industrialists are persuaded to take on more than their normal quota of apprentices, to ensure that the erosion of skill in Scotland is not continued?

Mr. Bryan

I said that we are keeping in touch with the situation, and I get the impression that employers and the training board and all concerned very much agree with what the hon. Member said. We shall certainly do our very best.