HC Deb 06 December 1988 vol 143 cc166-7
12. Mr. Patnick

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss the employment training scheme.

25. Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the general secretary of The transport and General Workers Union to discuss the employment training scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Fowler

I have not received any such request but if the recent decision by the Trades Union Congress genera] council leads to further positive co-operation by individual trade unions, that is to be welcomed.

Mr. Patnick

Does my right hon. Friend agree with the recent letter by the president of the Confederation of British Industry, published in the Financial Times, which says that skill shortages cause high wages and inflation? Will he press that upon the general secretary of the TUC and ensure that he supports employment training, which will make Britain more competitive, bring down inflation and reduce skill shortages?

Mr. Fowler

I entirely accept what my hon. Friend says. Of course, the employment training programme is taking place in the context of a very high number of vacancies in the economy. That is why we want the support of local authorities and trade unions for that programme, which can bring down unemployment further.

Mr. Janman

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the current general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union is the most destructive, irresponsible and Luddite general secretary that it has had the misfortune to have for many decades? What advice can my right hon. Friend give as to how the Transport and General Workers Union can make a more positive contribution to solving the current skill shortage, which is resulting in bricklayers earning £175 a day in docklands?

Mr. Fowler

I very much hope that the Transport and General Workers Union will change its views on the employment training programme. Up to now, on Dundee and on employment training, the Transport and General Workers Union has turned its back on the interests of unemployed people in Britain. The most deplorable thing is that that has never been condemned by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition.