HC Deb 04 July 1972 vol 840 cc229-30
15. Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set up an inquiry to ascertain how widespread is the practice of employers terminating the employment of employees on the completion of their apprenticeship.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

No, Sir. My information is that this practice does not exist on any significant scale.

Mr. Ewing

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is a disgracefully complacent answer? Will he reconsider the decision not to set up an inquiry, because instances are coming to light where, because of the shortening of the length of apprenticeships, apprentices are still in the process of continuing their technical college education when their employment is being terminated by their employers? The situation is serious. Therefore, I ask the Minister to reconsider the decision not to set up an inquiry.

Mr. Chicbester-Clark

If the hon. Gentleman has any particular cases in mind I shall be glad to study them. However, we have no evidence that there is widespread activity of that kind. Indeed, a number of firms with training schools make a practice of training more apprentices than they need, which helps firms without training facilities to obtain trained craftsmen.

Mr. Edward Taylor

Does my hon. Friend agree that serious problems arise from time to time when firms close down, because apprentices who have not quite completed their apprenticeships are at risk of losing two to three years of part-served apprenticeships? Does the Department take special steps to find opportunities for these lads to finish their apprenticeships?

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Yes. Every help is given in that kind of situation. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, we shall be glad to do what we can to help.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in Coat bridge and Airdrie and North Lanark shire he will find a number of apprentices who, within the last year, have been laid off and find it utterly impossible to get alternative employment to complete their apprenticeships? Is it not time that he did something about this situation?

Mr. Chichester-Clark

I hope the situation will be improved by the general downward trend in unemployment. It is a fact that firms faced with general redundancy normally make very strong efforts to retain apprentices who are in course of training.