§ 74. Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the availability and adequacy of training for skilled and semi-skilled knitwear operators on a national basis; and to what he attributes any local shortages.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAs I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 11 June at column 406, I am aware that the hosiery and knitwear industry is reporting recruitment difficulties. Any form of trained labour shortage is a cause for concern but it is primarily for the industry itself to train sufficient people to meet its own requirements for skilled and semi-skilled employees. I have sent my hon. Friend a copy of the Manpower Services Commission report on difficulties being experienced in the Leicestershire area which I referred to in my previous reply, and I recently met him and my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham) to discuss its conclusions, which are being followed up with local employers.