HC Deb 16 May 1989 vol 153 cc149-50
1. Mr. Jack

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to stimulate skills training in the tourism and catering industries; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Lee)

Skills training is crucial to secure the quality and professionalism which the tourism and catering industries need to keep their competitive edge. The Government are helping across the full range of training programmes, including the youth training scheme, employment training and the newly launched business growth training, and are working with the industry through the tourism training initiative. The emerging network of training and enterprise councils will provide a further boost for skills training.

Mr. Jack

I thank my hon. Friend for that encouraging answer. He will be aware of the excellent contribution being made to training in catering and tourism by Blackpool and Fylde college. Does my Friend feel that with more than 1,000 people coming into this industry every week enough is being done elsewhere to meet the industry's training needs?

Mr. Lee

My hon. Friend is right about the Blackpool and Fylde college. The close liaison between the college and the hoteliers of Blackpool in tailoring training to fit employers' needs is widely regarded as exemplary. The industry is seeking to recruit nearly 1,000 new employees per week. There are far more people than ever before in training for our tourism and hospitality industries and there are an increasing number of courses right across the country, be we need even more.

Ms. Short

Is the Minister aware that the problem of low pay is great and growing in catering and tourism? Does he not understand that the problem with the whole of the Government's strategy is that if they keep encouraging low pay, we cannot achieve higher standards of skill and the proper management of enterprise because the two aims are contradictory? When will the Government give up their obsession with low pay so that we can achieve decent standard in industry and employment?

Mr. Lee

The hon. Lady asks the same question almost every Employment Question Time. The answer is that the industry increasingly is improving its remuneration package and far more people than ever before are realising the industry's potential for career opportunities.

Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman

Is my hon. Friend aware of the excellent courses available in catering and similar subjects at the Lancaster and Morecambe college of further education, which is one reason why unemployment in our area has fallen yet again?

Mr. Lee

Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. The courses at the Lancaster and Morecambe college are excellent and I have visited the college. I must point out that the college head was trained in my own constituency, at Nelson and Colne college, and I have a high regard for him.