§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour what reply he has received from industrialists to his request for notification of the forward requirements for labour in the North East.
§ Mr. GunterI am always glad to receive employers' estimates of their forward requirements for labour but I am not aware of any special approach of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour what effect he estimates the shortages in some skilled engineering trades in parts of Tyneside and Tees-side will have on the development of the newer and precision trades in the North-East, in view of the fact that the area looks towards these new industries as possible growth points.
§ Mr. FernyhoughThere are acute shortages of instrument makers and precision fitters with certain specialised skills. Although I appreciate that these may cause difficulties to some firms, the shortages are less pronounced in the North-East than in most other parts of the 13W country. Moreover, there are many possibilities of industrial growth which are not affected by them.