HC Deb 18 February 1975 vol 886 cc1092-3
8. Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the operation of the Manpower Services Commission; and if he will consider expanding its activities.

10. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to enable the Manpower Services Commission to have a fully effective manpower intelligence and planning function.

Mr. Foot

I am satisfied with the present operations of the Manpower Services Commission. As proposed in the Labour Party manifesto, we are considering how to expand the commission's role. That expansion will certainly include an enlargement of the commission's manpower intelligence and planning function. The commission is about to recruit a Director of Manpower Intelligence and Planning whose first task will be to assess the commission's needs in this field.

Mr. Watkinson

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the Manpower Services Commission is advocating an expansion programme, and will the Government adopt that programme? Will he take note that although there are over half a million school leavers each year only 200,000 are at present receiving training, which compares badly with our European neighbours?

Mr. Foot

On the question of the expansion of the rôle of the Manpower Services Commission, I have already referred to the Labour Party manifesto on the subject, which we intend to carry out in this particular as in other particulars. We are holding further discussions with the Manpower Services Commission on these and other matters later this month. As regards the problems of school leavers, I hope that the proposals of the Manpower Services Commission and the Training Services Agency, which we were discussing, will lead to an improvement. That is what we desire. We think that that is a most important aspect of the problem.

Mr. Marten

This has been going on for quite a long time. Is there any reason why the advice of the Manpower Services Commission should not be fed back to undergraduates and school leavers straight away and without waiting?

Mr. Foot

It is not only a question of feeding back information. I did not understand that from my hon. Friend's question. I think it is also a question of providing further training facilities, to which I thought my hon. Friend referred. That is what we are seeking to work out, and we are in constant touch with the Manpower Services Commission about it.