HC Deb 19 October 1982 vol 29 cc222-3
17. Mr. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives have come from employers on new employment and training measures.

Mr. Alison

We are very heartened by the response we have had to our proposals on youth training. Employers recognise the imaginative steps the Government are taking on training, and we are confident that the youth training scheme will prove to be a great success.

Mr. Renton

I thank my right hon. Friend for his encouraging reply. Has he considered the possibility of some senior employees taking early retirement and then returning to their employers on a part-time basis to help to develop new training ideas and encourage local youngsters to take part in important new training initiatives? If that thought could be developed, would it not greatly supplement the activities of the MSC?

Mr. Alison

It is an interesting idea. The range of support programmes in the special employment area is flexible enough in its approach to early retirement and part-time work to include such an interesting initiative.