HC Deb 24 March 1981 vol 1 cc799-800
11. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his reply of 24 February, Official Report, col.315–6, what proposals have now been discussed between the Manpower Services Commission and the Ministry of Defence involving unemployed young people.

Mr. Prior

The Manpower Services Commission is currently considering proposals for a pilot scheme under which 1,000 unemployed young people would receive training in the Army for periods of up to six months. I expect to receive the views of the commission shortly.

Mr. Allaun

Do not school leavers need industrial rather than military training? Do they not need training for life rather than training for killing? What type of Government or system is it that offers 17-year-olds a choice of unemployment or entrance into the Army?

Mr. Prior

The hon. Gentleman should not allow his prejudices to run away with him. Such a scheme would be entirely voluntary. Many young people would like to have the opportunity of spending a bit of time with Her Majesty's Forces. It would be entirely voluntary. I am by no means certain that the Manpower Services Commission will recommend it. Speaking from my own experience, I know that many young people would like to take part.

Mr. Stokes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no better experience for young people than a period of time spent serving the Queen, when they will learn loyalty, self-discipline, self-respect and esprit de corps?

Mr. Prior

Apart from all those estimable qualities, which my hon. Friend has to the full, and about which I fully agree, the fact is that young people could have training for a whole range of skills which they are more likely to get through this scheme than through many other schemes.

Mr. Douglas

Will the Secretary of State treat the matter more seriously? Does he recognise that there would be a great objection if the aura of the scheme is surrounded by what we might loosely call square bashing? Does he agree that we should consider the facilities available in the Royal dockyards, such as Rosyth, for apprentice training? Is he aware that the facilities are already there, so that no new facilities would be created? They could be much more intensively used and the essential ingredient of giving young people a skill would be foremost in mind and not secondary.

Mr. Prior

I hope that no one in the House will think that I am not taking the matter seriously. I believe emphatically that this is the type of scheme that we should consider carefully. There are some difficulties about the recruitment of apprentices into Royal Naval Dockyards and other defence establishments, but generally we need to encourage as many apprenticeships as we can afford.

Mr. Varley

Does the Secretary of State realise that what he has said has many serious implications? We shall want to know a lot more about the proposed scheme before the Opposition give it their approval. Will he give the undertaking that if the Manpower Services Commission goes ahead and approves the scheme he will make a statement so that we can discuss the matter thoroughly before committing our young people to it? Is he aware that a record number of young people want not necessarily military experience but proper long-term jobs?

Mr. Prior

As I said in my original answer, I expect to receive the views of the Manpower Services Commission before long. I do not know what those views will be but if the commission suggests that we can go ahead with a scheme of that nature I shall report to the House.

Mr. Frank Allaun

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment. This is the thin end of the wedge.