HC Deb 18 May 1976 vol 911 cc1198-9
8. Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he now expects construction work to start on the new skillcentre at Deptford.

Mr. Golding

The Manpower Services Commission informs me that there have been difficulties in obtaining planning permission, and this is still awaited.

Following receipt of the planning clearance, it will take about a year for detailed plans of the building to be made, contracts placed and preparations made for a start on construction work.

Mr. Cartwright

Is my hon. Friend aware that this centre was first promised to South-East London almost eight years ago, in the wake of the AEI closure? In view of the delays caused by the apparently endless wrangles over planning, what interim arrangements are there for training in the Woolwich area and when does my hon. Friend hope that they will come into operation?

Mr. Golding

The delay is much regretted. The TSA has decided as an interim measure to bring forward plans for a skillcentre annexe, which was originally to have followed completion of the Deptford skillcentre. The TSA hopes to provide an appreciable number of skillcentre jobs as early as possible in 1977 in South-East London.

Mr. Lipton

Is my hon. Friend aware that he will have no difficulty about planning or anything else if he wants to establish a skillcentre in Brixton, where unemployment is higher than anywhere else in London? Is he aware that the Lambeth Borough Council and everybody else want it established in Brixton?

Mr. Golding

I am sure that the TSA will bear my hon. Friend's point in mind.