§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will ensure that a greater proportion of the costs of training seafarers is borne by the state than at present; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William SheltonIt is Government policy that, as far as possible, the costs of industrial training should be met by the main beneficiaries: the employers and employees themselves. However, a substantial proportion of the costs of nautical education and training is already met from public funds through subsidised tuition fees, grants to students and the provision of residential and other facilities at colleges. The Department is, however, in close contact with the Department of Trade about the problems currently faced by the shipping industry insofar as they relate to education and training.