HC Deb 27 February 1968 vol 759 cc342-3W
Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what examination his Department has made of the possible use of ancillary National Coal Board facilities and premises in North Warwickshire for retraining and employment centres;

(2) what consideration his Department has given to acquiring the Hounchwood Colliery site in Nuneaton for use as a centre for industrial retraining and employment, as a model to other areas.

Mr. Hattersley

Premises and sites to be released by the National Coal Board are considered as possible locations for Government training centres, but there are no present plans to acquire such facilities for training purposes in North Warwickshire. The area is served by the existing centres at Birmingham and Coventry and a further centre will be set up in the Wolverhampton area by the end of 1970. I will keep the position under review.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now augment industrial training and retraining facilities in North Warwickshire, following the announcement of the proposed closure of Arley and Kingsbury collieries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hattersley

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his Question on 15th February.—[Vol. 758, c.410]

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Minister of Labour what numbers of vacancies exist in Government training centres, which would be accessible to miners made redundant as a result of the proposed closure of Arley and Kingsbury collieries in North Warwickshire.

Mr. Hattersley

Vacancies in Government training centres are filled from waiting lists of accepted applicants. Redundant miners from the Arley and Kingsbury collieries who want and are suitable for this type of training could obtain early allocation in a number of trades at the Birmingham and Coventry centres which are within daily travelling distance.