§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement giving the details of those policies which have been introduced by his 581W Department in each of the last five years in order positively to encourage individuals to improve their skills and qualifications.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 9 March 1993]: My Department aims to ensure British business has access to an adequate supply of people with the right skills and attributes. It does this by encouraging business to invest in the training of its work force, listening to what business has to say, and, where appropriate, influencing the policies of the Department for Education and the Department of Employment who have primary responsibility for education and training. Specific programmes supported by my Department in furtherance of these aims include the teaching company scheme, senior academics into industry and the Shell technology enterprise programme.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any plans to meet representatives of the Engineering Employers Federation, the Confederation of British Industry or the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance to discuss ways in which his policies can more effectively encourage individuals to improve their qualifications or skills.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 9 March 1993]: The President of the Board of Trade regularly meets a range of industrial bodies to discuss issues of concern to industry, including qualifications and skills.