§ 10. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received about the policy of training board levies; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerSince my hon. Friend asked a similar Question on 9th July 1974, two letters have been received on the policy of training board levies.
§ Mr. HuckfieldDoes my hon. Friend agree that a 1 per cent. training levy is hardly worth trying to gain exemption from and that it will hardly encourage a comprehensive pattern of training? Does he not agree that in the case of the Road Transport Industry Training Board, where garages have indicated something like a 30 per cent. reduction in the recruitment of apprentices, the whole levy policy needs serious reconsideration?
§ Mr. WalkerOf course, the 1 per cent. levy ceiling imposed by the Employment and Training Act 1973 was one of the issues criticised by my party when in opposition. We have this criticism very much in mind in looking towards the future development of manpower policy. I should add that even before the 1 per cent. ceiling was imposed only three of the 24 boards had a levy in excess of 1 per cent. I have said before in the House, and I repeat now, that if a board thought that a levy in excess of 1 per cent. was appropriate and necessary I should be ready to consider the matter and bring it before the House for approval. With reference to the Road Transport Industry Training Board, I do not think I have yet received its current levy proposals.