HC Deb 25 July 1969 vol 787 cc517-8W
Mr. Booth

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when the assistance towards the transfer of key workers now available in the development areas will be extended to the intermediate areas.

Mr. Fernyhough

The Bill which the Government will be introducing next Session to extend to industry in the intermediate areas certain assistance provided in development areas under the Local Employment Acts will include a provision to extend to the intermediate areas the assistance my Department provides towards the costs of transfer of key workers who move with their employers to projects being established or extended in the development areas. The facilities of the Key Workers' Scheme will be available in the intermediate areas in respect of transfers of key workers which take place on or after the date of the coming into operation of the legislation. Interested firms should ask their local employment exchange for further details.

Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when the industrial training assistance now provided by the Government in the development areas will be extended to the intermediate areas.

Mr. Fernyhough

On 1st September, 1969. With effect from that date the assistance offered by my Department will include grants to new and expanding firms towards the cost of training workers for additional jobs created in the intermediate areas, assistance wiih the cost of premises temporarily required by new firms for training purposes, free courses for industrial supervisors and instructors, and facilities for the loan of training instructors where necessary.

The industrial training boards are also being asked to co-operate in extending to the intermediate areas from 1st September, 1969 the training grant schemes which they already administer on behalf of my Department in the development areas. These grants are designed to encourage firms to increase the numbers of apprentices and technicians under training, and to provide facilities for off-the-job training of adult workers to the semi-skilled level.