§ 19. Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will initiate action to encourage building employers in the Manchester area to recruit more indentured apprentices.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThe recruitment of building apprentices is primarily a matter for the employers, in co-operation with the Construction Industry Training Board. My Department is at present meeting half the cost of the construction board scheme for initial training of boys unable to secure apprenticeships immediately, and also makes grants to building employers in the Manchester area who take on more apprentices.
§ Mr. MorrisIs the Minister of State aware that many young boys in my constituency want to pursue careers in the building industry but feel that private builders and employers are letting down young people by encouraging lump labour, so that the requisite number of indentured apprentices is simply not available? Will he do something about this?
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkWe have already discussed to some extent today the question of lump labour and the difficulties involved in dealing with it. I understand that the Construction Industry Training, Board is considering the possibility of introducing a scheme on a larger scale to encourage building employers to take on more apprentices. I very much welcome that.
§ Mr. MarksWill the Minister congratulate the Manchester Corporation direct works department on its commitment to 500 building trade indentured apprentices? Will he urge private employers to have as large a proportion of apprentices to other workers as the direct works department has?
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkI hope that everyone concerned will try to increase the number of apprentices. What I know is that the building industry in Manchester and the country as a whole is recovering from the low levels of 1971, which followed the depression in which the party opposite left the building industry.