§ Mr. WoolasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the future of the National Training Centre for Knitting Machine Mechanics and Technicians at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. [81738]
§ Mr. MudieHaving reviewed their mix of training provision, I understand that the college authorities have decided to close the knitting technician facility. That is a business decision for them to take and is not a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I am advised that there are a number of other institutions offering technician training for the knitting industry. This may well have been a factor in the decision to close the centre at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.
I can assure my hon. Friend that the prospective National Training Organisation for the Textiles industry—National Textiles Training Organisation—is very active in linking with education institutions to ensure the availability of an appropriate level of training facilities to meet the needs of the industry.