HC Deb 26 January 1977 vol 924 cc1465-6
1. Mr. Small

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is in a position to make a statement about granting financial assistance towards trade union residential courses held in Scotland.

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Frank McElhone)

I discussed trade union education with representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress on 21st January and I am considering how it will be possible for my Department to give assistance direct to the STUC to supplement the grant already available to the TUC for this purpose under the existing arrangements.

Mr. Small

Ego, de meo senso judicio—in my judgment, that is a helpful answer.

We are living in an era lacking a past. The reason for my Question is the new dimension in Scotland arising from the complexities of the oil situation. To that degree, national leaders should be reinforced by educational resources in Scotland applied to that new dimension, so that they may negotiate in terms of the requirements of a modern society. To that end, can my hon. Friend tell me what the STUC's estimate is of the initial requirements for such a project?

Mr. Speaker

May I request other hon. Members not to feel that they must explain their question as well as ask it?

Mr. McElhone

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me early notice of that quotation. Suffice it to say that it does not guarantee him an early place in the trade union college.

The amount that the STUC hopes to get for next year is about £26,000. That would cover the residential courses for a year. As I said earlier, I met the STUC last Friday and explained that certain legal and administrative difficulties arose on the question of doing this but that we were looking at the problem and hoped to get round it. We would then try, for one year only, namely, 1977–78, to meet the sum required.

Mrs. Winifred Ewing

Will the Minister take all possible steps, in respect of trade union courses, to ensure that the proposed EEC trade union institute should come to Glasgow, the cradle of industrial democracy? We have seen many institutions go to other countries in the EEC. Could not the Minister try to get this one for Glasgow?

Mr. McElhone

That is a most interesting suggestion. I shall certainly examine it and report back to the hon. Lady.

Dr. Bray

Will my hon. Friend say what response he has had to the valuable proposal that he made in his recent letter to hon. Members on the question of industrial relations training in our schools in Scotland?

Mr. McElhone

I raised this matter with the STUC, which was unanimous in supporting the scheme. I also met the Schools Industry Liaison Committee, on which members of the CBI and STUC serve. The members of that committee were at one in saying that they fully supported the principle of teaching industrial relations, albeit that the opinion is that we must also concentrate on the core curriculum. The matter has now gone to the CCC—that is, the Consultative Committee on the Curriculum—because we do not control the curriculum in schools. That committee will consider the suggestion shortly.

Mr. Sillars

Will my hon. Friend confirm that although Government money is involved there will never be any sign of interference in the content of courses run by the STUC?

Mr. McElhone

I give that assurance to my hon. Friend.

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