§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the fact that latest figures show that the Manpower Services Commission was retraining 3,450 people in construction industry trades in September 1974, whether he will review his policy in this area in the light of the level of unemployment and the prospects for the industry.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that its policy is to maintain the level of training268W in construction industry trades under the Training Opportunities Scheme in order to help to meet the longer-term skill requirements of the industry. In forming this policy, the commission has taken account of previous experience of skill shortages following periods of relatively high unemployment as well as the current level of unemployment and prospects for the industry.