§ Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for Industry what European Coal and Steel Community grants are available for financing the retraining of redundant steel workers.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe iron and steel employees readaptation benefits scheme, which includes provisions for financing the retraining of redundant steel workers for up to 52 weeks, is funded jointly by the European Coal and Steel Community and the Government. Besides meeting approved course fees and travel or accommodation expenses, the scheme provides a training allowance approximately equivalent to previous take-home pay in the steel industry. There is provision for an employer of redundant steel workers who carries out approved training to reclaim two-thirds of the agreed cost.
§ Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many redundant steel workers have joined retraining courses approved by the Department of Industry during the last 12 months; and what proportion this is of the total made redundant.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallSome 4,700 redundant steel workers joined retraining courses approved by the268W Department of Industry for the purpose of assistance under the iron and steel employees readaptation benefits scheme. This is about 13 per cent. of the eligible redundant steel workers. Not all redundant steelworkers are eligible for ISERBS aid and some of those who do not qualify for support under the scheme will have taken training courses under different arrangements.