HC Deb 21 December 1984 vol 70 cc391-2W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those consular offices which, as he announced on 25 November, Official Report, column 426, would be closed shortly.

Mr. Renton

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) on 18 December at column137.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he is proposing to close the British consular office in Thessaloniki.

Mr. Renton

The consulate in Salonika is to be closed as part of the package of measures announced on 22 November which was designed to ensure that Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure in 1985–86 remains within the provision already approved by Parliament. We

Mr. Peter Morrison

My right hon. Friend and I have received a small number of representations in the past 18 months about the future of the Construction Industry Training Board.

We have pointed out in our responses that employer organisations in the industry expressed strong support for the retention of the board during the Government's review of industrial training in 1981, and that they remain convinced of the need for statutory arrangements in the industry.

Under the Industrial Training Act 1982, employers have a greater say in the running of boards. My right hon. Friend and I have consistently stressed to board chairmen the need to ensure companies receive value for money. The Construction Industry Training Board plays an important role in the Government's overall training plans and has been particularly successful in managing a youth training scheme. The Government have no plans to abolish the board.