HC Deb 25 November 1975 vol 901 cc650-1
11. Mr. Small

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian apprentices are currently serving in RN dockyards.

Mr. Judd

3,096, Sir.

Mr. Small

I appreciate the quality of training which is afforded to civilian apprentices, but can my hon. Friend say whether the formula recently adopted for giving financial aid to encourage training in the private sector is adopted in respect of civilian apprentices in Royal Navy dockyards? Will my hon. Friend pay particular attention to this point, since it would help to improve recruitment in the dockyards?

Mr. Judd

That question is primarily for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. The present entry of apprentices to dockyards is fully taken up. There is no capacity either in the apprentice training centres or in the ships and shops where more than half the apprenticeships have to be served. There is little scope at present for training additional young people, but we shall always act sympathetically in terms of our responsibilities in this area.