§ 6. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received in the past six months about the finances of the Construction Industry Training Board.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonNone, Sir. But I have regular meetings with the chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board to discuss issues affecting training, including its funding.
§ Mr. HooleyIs the Minister aware that, despite Government interference, the Construction Industry Training Board is still doing an excellent job, but that it is running into financial problems? Will he give a guarantee that if those problems should threaten its work, when so many people are in need of training, the Government will make sufficient funds available to ensure that the work continues?
§ Mr. MorrisonI agree with the hon. Gentleman that the Construction Industry Training Board does a good job. As he is probably aware, negotiations are going on between the board and the Manpower Services Commission about funding for 1982–83. I am confident that agreement will be reached shortly.
§ Mr. Barry JonesThe Minister has rightly praised the Construction Industry Training Board, but does he deny that he is considering a voucher scheme for retraining, as reported in The Guardian on Monday? Is he considering a scheme under which workers will have to fund their own retraining?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am not responsible for what is printed in The Guardian.