HC Deb 20 May 1975 vol 892 cc1198-200
7. Mr. Lane

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the latest trends in unemployment, whether he will make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's plans for more retraining.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the Training Services Agency has already put into operation arrangements for ensuring that apprentices who are made redundant are able to continue their training. Provision is also being made for expanding the facilities available under the Training Opportunities Scheme so that up to 80,000 people can be trained in 1976. If the need arises for further initiatives, the commission will consider carefully what action it can take.

Mr. Lane

In spite of that, will the Minister urge his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to spend less time encouraging strong unions to use their industrial muscle regardless of the consequences and more time building on the foundations laid by the previous Conservative Government for a great expansion of retraining, to which the present Government have not given high enough priority?

Mr. Walker

I must point out that the Chancellor's Budget provided for an extra £20 million for the current year and an extra £30 million for the succeeding year for additional expenditure on training. I am sure that the trade unions are as aware as any hon. Member of the need for the expansion of training. I am glad to say that we are getting their full co-operation and support, particularly as regards the Manpower Services Commission, where both trade unions and employers are significantly represented.

Mr. Lipton

As regards retraining, will my hon. Friend pay special regard to the dire needs of the London area, where thousands of jobs cease to be available from year to year? In that regard London is becoming a distressed area. Will my hon. Friend go into this matter very carefully in the near future as the situation in London is very serious with the lack of employment, the lack of industrial opportunities and the lack of all sorts of other things?

Mr. Walker

We are sharply aware of the particular difficulties in London, particularly apprenticeship opportunities for young people. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State and myself are engaged in careful studies and discussions on what can be done to give further assistance in London. One of the measures that are contemplated is the provision of a further skillcentre in South-East London, but we are having difficulties, as I think my hon. Friend knows, about planning permission as regards what is a very difficult site.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Will the Minister give details to the House of the kind of grants and loans that his Department has received, or which this country has received, from the European Community for retraining over the past 18 months?

Mr. Walker

I cannot give that information without notice, but I take this opportunity of refuting the rather foolish and ill-founded assertion in some newspapers that the Department has not fully taken up everything available. The fact is that we have taken up the full amount that is available. I say to the hon. Gentleman again that I cannot give him the figure offhand without prior notice, but if he would like me to write to give him the figure I shall be delighted to do so. Alternatively, if he tables a Question for Written Answer I shall be very pleased to give the answer.

Mrs. Hayman

Is my hon. Friend aware that one of the greatest disincentives against women taking up opportunities for retraining is the lack of day care facilities? In its expanded programme of retraining facilities, which all my hon. Friends welcome, will the Department consider the possibility of providing day care at retraining centres so that women can truly take the opportunities that are offered?

Mr. Walker

I welcome what my hon. Friend has said. We are anxious that more women should undertake training. We are anxious that more women should take advantage of the facilities that are available and the training opportunities that are open to them. I regret that the take-up is not as great as either I or my hon. Friend would like. As regards the suggestion that she makes, I shall draw it to the attention of the Manpower Services Commission.