§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for the Environment who attended the forum on training in the construction industry on 13 January.
§ Mr. John PattenBesides the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Employment, my50W hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier), and myself, the following attended the forum on 13 January: Mr. C. Chetwood (George Wimpey plc), Mr. R. Duncan (Syme and Duncan), Mr. D. Gaulter (CITB), Mr. G. Henderson (TGWU), Mr. W. Hilton (FMB), Mr. B. Jefferson (PSA), Mr. D. Maiden (CITB), Mr. P. Money (BEC), Mr A. Pelling (DOE), Mr D. Phillips (BEC), Mr. M. Stothers (W. Steward & Co.), Mr. D. Stradling (J. Laing Construction Ltd.), Mr. B. Tierney (R. F. Peachey and Sons Ltd.), Mr. H. Try (Hugh Try Holdings Ltd.), and Mr. J. Wiltshire (MSC). Mr. A. Williams (UCATT) and Mr. Howard Wainwright, a former HMI, had planned to attend but were prevented from doing so because of the weather conditions.
§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the conclusions of the forum on training in the construction industry held on 13 January; and what steps he intends to take to increase training.
§ Mr. John PattenThe forum on training in the construction industry considered ways of tackling skill shortages; ways of improving site management; and ways of improving training for adult. operatives. In conclusion. the chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board agreed to bring forward proposals for increasing the number of entrants into craft training by 4,000 and to prepare an action plan to cover medium-term measures to deal with the skill shortages problems; ways of improving the provision and take-up of training for site managers and supervisors; and ways of improving the industry's, investment in the training of experienced operatives and craftsmen. I expect to receive these proposals at the end of this month.