Training (Hansard, 28 April 1981)

§ 14. Mr. John Hunt
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board to discuss training.

§ Mr. Peter Morrison
I have accepted an invitation from Mr. Leslie Kemp, chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board, to visit the Board's training centre at Bircham Newton. I look forward to discussing training matters with him.

§ Mr. Hunt
In the meantime, will my hon. Friend acknowledge that many responsible employers in the construction industry are very anxious about the effects of the Employment and Training Bill upon their apprenticeship schemes? What reassurance can he give them in that respect?

§ Mr. Morrison
As my hon. Friend is aware, the Manpower Services Commission will be reporting with its review on the Construction Industry Training Board, among other training boards, in the middle of June. With regard to apprentices, my hon. Friend is probably also aware that Government funds amounting to about £10 million have been made available to assist the CITB programme in 1980–81.

§ Mr. McQuarrie
When my right hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board, will he have discussions with him concerning practical training on sites, which could assist in the completion of the many local authority houses which are lying empty? Such a policy would then provide units of accommodation for the homeless, at the same time as giving the trainees the sort of training that would help them in getting appointments in the future in the construction industry.

§ Mr. Morrison
The matter raised by my hon. Friend is one that I shall discuss with the chairman of the CITB.

§ Mr. Cryer
Are not both sides of the construction industry concerned about the absurd and wrecking tactics of the present Government, who on the one hand are destroying the training boards and the formalised training schemes built up over the years, and on the other hand are destroying industry by cutting back public expenditure, thus wrecking the private sector and destroying the very jobs which are created from the apprenticeships? When will the Government do something about getting more construction workers back to work, and giving people the chance to get an apprenticeship?

§ Mr. Morrison
The hon. Gentleman, as always, anticipates what may happen. I cannot judge what the Manpower Services Commission review will say about the Construction Industry Training Board. We shall have to wait until the middle of June.