HC Deb 09 July 1991 vol 194 cc771-2
10. Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on progress with industrial and vocational training.

Mr. Howard

Progress has been substantial. Employers have been put in the lead of training locally and at industry level and are more committed than ever to raising the levels of skills in the work force. Employer training has increased by 85 per cent. over the past six years. Major reforms of education and youth training are raising the attainment of young people. Good progress is being made on the reform of vocational qualifications.

Mr. Nicholson

Will my right hon. and learned 1Friend confirm that the evidence from the latest survey carried out by the Confederation of British Industry is that private industry is maintaining its commitment to training? In view of the representations made to me by Somerset training and enterprise council which I have communicated to him, will he confirm that the Government will maintain their commitment to provide the resources necessary to deliver the youth training guarantee?

Mr. Howard

I am happy to give my hon. Friend that confirmation. We shall continue to work in partnership with the training and enterprise councils to provide training of ever-higher quality.

Mr. Blair

When we are receiving reports from around the country that youth training and employment training have waiting lists because so many people are trying to get on them, when, even after last month's announcement, funds for training are being cut—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question!"]—and when the Department of Employment's review—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question!"]—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I trust that the hon. Gentleman will ask a question. That would help.

Mr. Blair

When the Department's own review says that the relationship between TECs and the Government cannot be sustained as a result of funding cuts, why does not the Secretary of State take responsibility for the crisis in training which the Government have caused and about which they are doing nothing?

Mr. Howard

What the hon. Gentleman should be considering is yesterday's vote by his trade union—the Transport and General Workers Union—to boycott youth training, employment training and the training and enterprise councils. In view of his utter failure to dissuade even his own trade union from boycotting and turning its back on training, will the hon. Gentleman and the Leader of the Opposition, both of whom are sponsored by the Transport and General Workers Union, today undertake not to accept a penny more of tainted money from that union until it abandons its boycott of training?

Mr. Paice

Can my right hon. and learned Friend confirm that the latest CBI survey shows that three quarters of firms expect to maintain or increase their investment in training? How does that compare with the proposals for a tax on employment to pay for training— would not that cost more jobs and is not it typical of all the policies of that lot on the Opposition Benches?

Mr. Howard

My hon. Friend is entirely right. It is still the knee-jerk reaction of the Opposition to pull for compulsion at every turn. Their policies on this issue would be as disastrous as the training levy boards of the past.