§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many apprentices and other trainees have been affected by the Corns closures announced on 1 February; and what action he is taking to secure continuity in their training programmes. [148986]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 7 February 2001]: Corns informs me that where there have been major job reductions/closures in the past, the company has been able, with very few exceptions, to get all trainees through to the end of their apprenticeships. The company's intention is to ensure that all current trainees have the opportunity of completing their training. This may require some to relocate.
The announcement on 1 February related to several plants in England and Wales. The company has provided me with the following information about the number of apprentices/trainees at the plants as follows:
Number Ebbw Vale 48 apprentices Scunthorpe and Teesside No impact on trainees as they are employed directly by local colleges Llanwern and Port Talbot 130 apprentices Shotton 30 apprentices Rotherham 17 apprentices/trainees Corus has a good track record on training and we will encourage it to maintain this record.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the occasions on which he met the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales to discuss the job losses at Corus in Wales, prior to the announcement on 1 February; and if he will make a statement; [150253]
39W(2) if he will list the occasions on which he met the Secretary of State for Wales to discuss the job losses at Corus in Wales, prior to the announcement on 1 February; and if he will make a statement; [150255]
(3) if he will list the occasions on which he discussed the proposed job losses at Corns in Wales with the Economic Development Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales, prior to the announcement on 1 February; and if he will make a statement. [150254]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 13 February 2001]: I have maintained a regular dialogue with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and the Economic Development Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales in recent months about a range of issues. Since 5 December, when Corns announced its intention to restructure, I have met them on the following occasions to discuss the matter:
Date Names 15 December Paul Murphy and Rhodri Morgan 17 January Paul Murphy, Rhodri Morgan and Mike German 31 January Paul Murphy and Rhodri Morgan 1 February Paul Murphy 5 February Paul Murphy 6 February Paul Murphy 8 February Paul Murphy 13 February Paul Murphy 26 February Paul Murphy, Rhodri Morgan and Mike German