HC Deb 03 February 1972 vol 830 cc155-6W
33. Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what date he intends to publish the review of industrial training boards.

43. Mr. Moyle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to publish the Green Paper on the future of the industrial training boards.

82. Mr. John Page

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what date he will announce the result of his review of the industrial training boards.

Mr. R. Carr

The Government's proposals for industrial training are contained in the booklet "Training for the Future": A Plan for Discussion, which was published on 1st February.

35. Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers have agreed to make available spare training capacity for training workers at Government expense; and how many training places he expects to become available as a result.

Mr. Bryan

By 21st January my Department had identified about 1,600 spare training places in industry. Agreements have been reached with 90 employers for a total of 950 places and discussions are proceeding with a further 50 employers in respect of the remaining places.

36. Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Employment for how many unemployed workers over the age of 45 years training grants have been paid to employers in development areas.

Mr. Bryan

During 1971, the first year of the Government's scheme, grants were paid to employers in development and intermediate areas towards the training of about 600 workers aged 45 and over. Figures for development and intermediate areas separately are not available.

37. Mr. Tom Boardman

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many Government training centres are now open or under construction; how many places they are expected to provide; and how these numbers compare with a year ago.

Mr. R. Carr

A year ago there were 48 centres providing 10,500 training places. Since then I have opened four new centres and am planning to open a further 12 by 1975 when there will be 17,000 training places.

52. Mr. John Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what numbers of apprentices and other workers were in training during each of the last 10 years to December, 1971.

Mr. Bryan

In 1968, 1970 and 1971 there were respectively 1.4 million, 1.6 million and 1.2 million persons including apprentices under training at the date of my Department's inquiries. I regret that earlier information is not available.

Mr. Milne

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will arrange for an early increase in the number and range of Government training centre places available in the Northern Region, in the light of the present unemployment rate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bryan

An additional 160 places will be provided at existing centres. A further 350 places will be made available as soon as possible by utilising unused industrial premises. Courses are already available in 35 skilled trades and I am ready to consider adding others according to local needs.