§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many sector working parties have reported worsening shortages of skilled labour over the last year; and what action the Government propose to meet these shortages.
§ Mr. GoldingMost sector working parties reported difficulty with skilled labour shortages. Seven sector working parties reported worsening shortages.
The employment and training services administered by the Manpower Services Commission have been substantially improved. Further improvements are in hand following the proposals in "Training for Skills" and the TOPS review. Financial incentives to mobility have been 545W streamlined and enhanced. Proposals for making local authority housing arrangements more conducive to labour mobility have been published.