§ 50. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the current waiting list for entry into Government training centres in the Northern Region.
§ Mr. HattersleyOn 8th April, there were 646 accepted applicants on the waiting list in Northern Region.
13W
§ 56. Mr. Will Owenasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps are being taken to increase the re-training facilities in the Northern Region, especially to meet the needs of the increasing age-group 45 to 60 years; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. HattersleyMost of the retraining required is at operator level. It is best given by employers with the help of the Industrial Training Boards and of the Government grants which are available to assist such training in development areas. There has been a marked increase in applications for such grants from the Northern Region since the rates were doubled last October. Men in older age groups have the opportunity to train in Government Training Centres. In the Northern Region four new centres and extensions to present centres will raise the annual output of trained men from about 1,600 to about 3,400 by the end of 1970.