§ 25. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what study he is making of the need for the development of skills in maintaining and building dry- 112W stone dykes, and the development of skills of thatchers, in the light of the work done by British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Countryside Commission for Scotland at the Muiravonside country park and elsewhere.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it has no evidence that such a study is needed.
I understand that the experience of the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas is that the current level of training in thatching is appropriate.
Much of the maintenance and building of dry-stone dykes is carried out by local authorities and farmers, using their own labour or engaging self-employed dykers. It is also carried out by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
The trust is a charity, promoting voluntary practical conservation work in the countryside including dyking but not thatching. Training at Muiravonside is in the form of short courses, partly funded by the Countryside Commission for Scotland, for volunteer group leaders. Training for employment is not provided.