HC Deb 25 March 1964 vol 692 cc127-8W
Mr. W. Clark

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for the continuation of the work of the Industrial Training Council after the enactment of the Industrial Training Act and the termination on 31st March next of the Council's grant-in-aid.

Mr. Godber

I am glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging the value of the work of the Industrial Training Council over the past six years and of the help given by those who have served on it. I understand from the Council that it desires to see arrangements made for the carrying on of the activities for which it has been responsible, subject to review as the new system proposed in the Industrial Training Act comes progressively into effective operation. I shall look to the new Central Training Council for general advice on industrial training and I hope to arrange for the publication, in consultation with that Council, of booklets on training such as have been issued by the Industrial Training Council.

The work of the Training Advisory Service will be continued and expanded and in 1964–65 I propose to make a grant of up to £30,000 for this purpose. I propose also to set aside £20,000 to enable the grants to industry for the appointment of Training Development Officers and for the promotion of group training schemes to continue. The latter sum is additional to expenditure during 1964–65 from the £40,000 I have allocated to the development of group training schemes in areas of exceptionally high youth unemployment. These arrangements will provide for the main activities of the Industrial Training Council. In view of this I understand that in due course the Council will cease to operate.