§ 2. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to the provision of training for shop stewards.
§ Mr. WaddingtonRelevant training can be an important element in securing improvements in industrial relations, but its provision is primarily a matter for trade unions and management.
§ Mr. MillerWill my hon. Friend look again at the training provided by the TUC, with the assistance of the Government, and will he consider whether, next year, we should make some provision, as urged by many conveners in major works in the Midlands, for the in-plant training of shop stewards, which they consider would be one of the best ways of avoiding unofficial disputes?
§ Mr. WaddingtonMy hon. Friend will be aware that for the current year, 1980–81, the Government have continued the arrangements established by the previous Government. My Department and the Department of Education and Science make a grant towards the cost of training initiated or undertaken by the TUC. A further sum is available for non-affiliated unions. No final decision has yet been taken on the way in which the money may be allocated next year. Clearly, this is a difficult time at which to speak of additional moneys being made available. The suggestion made by my hon. Friend will be carefully considered, but there are obvious advantages in providing general training, rather than training that is specific to one particular plant.