§ 76. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Employment and Productivity if she will review her decision of 21st October, not to increase the number of representatives from the footwear industry on the Industrial Training Board, and to provide an additional seat for a representative from the Midlands section of the industry.
§ Mr. HattersleyNo. After full consideration and consultation with interested organisations, my right hon. Friend has decided to appoint three members to the Footwear. Leather and Fur Skin Industry Training Board to reflect the interests of footwear manufacturers. One of these will come from the Midlands section of the industry and I consider that no useful purpose would be served by the appointment of an additional member from this area.
§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) whether she will increase the number of representatives of the footwear industry from three to four of the employer seats on the Industrial Training Board;
(2) whether she is aware that there are 46,000 workers in the footwear industry in the Midlands, compared with 17,000 in the North and 16,000 in the South; and, in view of the representations by the British Footwear Manufacturers' Federation, whether she will arrange for the Midland employers to have an additional seat on the Industrial Training Board.
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§ Mr. HattersleyIn determining the composition of the Footwear, Leather and Fur Skin Industry Training Board, my right hon. Friend has been concerned to secure a fair balance of the varied industrial interests rather than to appoint members strictly according to the size of an industry's labour forces in particular areas. After full consideration and consultation with interested organisations, my right hon. Friend has decided to appoint three members to reflect the interests of footwear manufacturers. One of these will come from the Midlands section of the industry and I consider no useful purpose would be served by the appointment of an additional member from this area.