Mr. Colin Jacksonasked the Minister of Labour what response has been received by his department with regard to the joint ODM/MOL scheme for 500 extra places for the practical training of overseas students in industry; and if consideration has been given to the invocation of section 14 of the Industrial Training Act.
§ Mr. Hattersley:Of the applicants referred to my Department 24 have received offers of practical training; 19 of these offers have been accepted by the overseas Governments concerned and in 16 cases training has started. 18 further 643W applications are under consideration. The response from industry to requests to provide practical training for overseas students has been satisfactory; the demand from overseas has not yet reached the level expected. At this stage I do not think it necessary or desirable to invoke section 14 of the Industrial Training Act.