HC Deb 28 April 1982 vol 22 cc291-2W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to which facilities in the United Kingdom will be available to train divers for North Sea operations if the underwater training centre at Fort William is closed.

Mr. Gray

Facilities for training air divers will be available at the Prodive School, Falmouth and Fort Bovisand, Plymouth. There will be no facilities for training bell divers.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has considered the scheme for keeping open the underwater training centre at Fort William submitted to him by Mr. Denis Jebb of Grimsby.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I have received a number of propositions about the future of the underwater training centre following my announcement on 2 April that public funding of the centre would shortly end. I have asked the Manpower Services Commission for urgent advice on these proposals, including the submission from Mr. Jebb.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will extend the period during which the subsidy available to the underwater training centre at Fort William may be paid, in order to allow more time for schemes for keeping the centre open to be considered.

Mr. Peter Morrison

No. After some three years of intensive discussion the Government have with great reluctance reached the view that public funding of the underwater training centre must end. No more publicly financed courses will be run at the centre. I have asked the Manpower Services Commission to arrange for the orderly rundown of the centre's activities, as part of which it is examining whether the centre can be sold as a going concern.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether redundancy notices have yet been issued to the staff of the underwater training centre at Fort William.

Mr. Peter Morrison

No.

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