HC Deb 20 May 1980 vol 985 cc241-2
12. Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of industrial training boards.

Mr. Prior

I welcome the fundamental review that the Manpower Services Commission is now making of our industrial training arrangements generally, including the operations of the industrial training boards, and look forward to receiving the report of its review in July. The Government will then consider what action needs to be taken.

Mr. Brown

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. It seems that there is the possibility that the Government will take action. Is my right hon. Friend aware, however, that in my constituency many small employers of labour, particularly of young people and apprentices, resent the manner in which the industrial training boards enforce petty restrictions upon them? Will he bear in mind, when the report of the review is received, that considerable pressure is building up among employers for the abolition of the industrial training boards?

Mr. Prior

I should like to have chapter and verse of what my hon. Friend has stated about the problems of small companies. I agree that we would be silly not to face the fact that considerable pressure is building up among certain employers about the attitude of the industrial training boards.

Mr. Spriggs

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that industrial training projects, to which I have referred before, are being hampered as a result of the criteria laid down for the training of young people? Will he use his good offices to approach the Manpower Services Commission with a view to changing the criteria so as to allow indexed training projects to come into force at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Prior

I shall certainly consult the Manpower Services Commission to see whether we can meet the hon. Gentleman's point

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Has my right hon. Friend studied the staggering arrangements being made for the chief executives of these boards, one of whom is apparently earning more than anyone else in Whitehall, and receiving an index-linked salary as well as an index-linked pension? Is it not time that the contracts of these gentlemen were revised or, preferably, withdrawn?

Mr. Prior

I have studied the matter We have been studying it for some considerable time. Unfortunately, these index-linked agreements were already in force when we came into office. They apply to one man. Like our predecessors, we are bound by that undertaking. These are matters that bring the boards into great disrepute.

Mr. Radice

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that many industrial training boards are now running out of money at a time when employers are cutting back on training? Is it not time that the Government took action?

Mr. Prior

I see no reason why industrial training boards, if they are doing a good job, should be running out of money. They can get a levy from employers, and they do. There is no earthly reason for thinking that the industrial training boards should be short of money.