HC Deb 06 December 1988 vol 143 c142W
50. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress he is making in improving the level of skill of textile operatives; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

Textile employers have the responsibility for determining and meeting the skill and training needs of operatives in their industry. The training agency has a close working relationship with the textile industry training organisations and is supporting projects run by them to develop standards of competence and to improve the level of skill of textile operatives. It is also currently funding over 900 YTS places in textile manufacturing.

I hope that employers will seize the opportunity which the Government's employment training programme affords them to improve recruitment and training in the industry.