asked the Minister of Labour how many places were available for training and retraining at the training centres in the north-east development districts during the year ended 31st March.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cleveland (Mr. Tinn) on 25th April, 1966.

Does my hon. Friend think that the number of places in training centres is adequate, in view of the contraction in the coal-mining industry, which is likely to be accelerated with the discovery of gas in the North Sea?

My Ministry is aware of the importance of the problem raised by my hon. Friend. By the end of next year, the new training centre at Killingworth will be opened and will provide some 200 additional places. In addition, other centres in the North-East will be enlarged. As a result, my right hon. Friend hopes to be producing 1,600 skilled men from Government training centres in the North-East by the end of next year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that her right hon. Friend told me some time ago that he was quite content with the number of training and retraining centres? Will she be good enough to inform him that I have said this afternoon that I am not satisfied?

I know that my right hon. Friend will take his right hon. Friend's remarks very much into account, but the expansion is going forward, and my Department would like to see what effect this has on the position in the North-East.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement, to the latest convenient date, of the state of unemployment in the city and county of Aberdeen, during the last five years by industries and sexes.

As the reply consists of a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for her promise of publication in the OFFICIAL REPORT, may I ask her what steps her Ministry is taking to eliminate unemployment entirely from Aberdeen?

There has been a consistent fall in the figures of unemployment in both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in recent years, and the rate of unemployment in this area is now 1·8 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that men desiring training or retraining facilities in Government training centres in Scotland are having to wait many months for a place; and what plans exist for increasing such facilities and reducing these delays.

There are waiting periods of several months for some trades at some training centres in Scotland. The situation should be significantly improved next year with the opening of the seventh new centre in Scotland, as well as by the expansion of existing centres.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I had several complaints on this matter during the course of the last election; and that it is not very satisfactory for a man to have to wait for nine months for a place in one of these centres? Will she give an assurance that when new centres are set up they will be sited principally in the areas adversely affected by, for instance, pit closures, especially in areas like West Fife?

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter particularly to our attention, and I would point out that, particularly with respect to redundant mineworkers, the demand is very often more for rehabilitation centre places than for training centre places. A new centre is to be erected very shortly in North Lanarkshire for this purpose.

Is the hon. Lady aware that watchmaking and engineering courses have a waiting list of one year? Is not the job of rehabilitation all the more difficult when a man has been disabled and has then had to spend a year doing nothing?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the problem. The increase in training places in Scotland in the last three years has been no less than sixfold. The hon. Gentleman might like to consider the difference between the record of his Government and mine on the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation to empower his Department to hold, or to sponsor, courses to prepare those about to retire for their retirement.

No, Sir.

Has the Ministry received from a conference called by the Redbridge Education Committee in conjunction with the Redbridge Council of Social Service a request for such courses in view of the increasing number of people who are retiring with years of useful life in front of them?

Yes, Sir. We are aware of the Redbridge resolutions, but I would point out that the Industrial Training Act, as it is at present, does not cover this position, whereas education committees are in a position to offer such training, so I would suggest that in this case the matter should be taken up with the local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour when he will announce a decision on the preservation of pension rights.

asked the Minister of Labour what methods he will adopt to ensure the preservation of pension rights.

My right hon. Friend's National Joint Advisory Council is at present considering the Report of its Committee on this question. In the light of the Council's advice, we will consider urgently what action should be taken.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this Answer has been given over many months now? Does she recognise the urgency of finding a solution to this problem, if her Ministry intends to encourage mobility of labour, and when does she expect to be able to provide a solution?

This has been considered for many months, and even for many years, but my right hon. Friend is determined that there shall be a solution. The present position is that both sides of industry are now taking back the report of the meeting of the National Joint Advisory Council and are proposing to give their considered views on the matter in July. So I hope that we can make considerable progress from that point.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed in Great Britain, including Northern Ireland, at the most recent date; and what steps he is taking to reduce this number.

On 18th April, 1966, there were 307,345 registered unemployed in Great Britain and 29,902 in Northern Ireland.

The services of our Ministry for placing, rehabilitation and training are being developed and expanded in order to help reduce the number of unemployed. I understand that the Government of Northern Ireland are also making every effort to reduce unemployment.

I am glad that the figure is not higher, but is not my hon. Friend aware that it could be far lower? Indeed, our figure is twice that of France and three times that of West Germany. Why is this? Would my hon. Friend give these facts to the gentleman who was talking about over-full employment in Britain, and pressing for deflation?

My hon. Friend will be aware that we share his view that unemployment can be reduced even further. To this end, the employment service is being enlarged, the staff has been increased, a new vocational training service has been introduced. In addition, my hon. Friend will be aware that efforts in the new field of industrial training will make this country catch up with and, I hope, pass some of the countries he has mentioned that have in the past advanced on this front faster than we have.

Does the hon. Lady feel that the new Selective Employment Tax will help or hinder this process?

It is our view that it will help this process—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—in manufacturing industry, where the shortages are most severe.

The Parliamentary Secretary has made a most important statement. Is she telling us that it is Government policy over the next few months to increase the number of employed—that is, to decrease the number of unemployed? Is that her assurance on behalf of the Government? Will she point out to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) that in the countries he quoted remarkably different circumstances obtain? Will she agree—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—that Germany imports the unemployed of other countries, and that France has a great— [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—this is a very important subject—

It may be important, but as I reprove Ministers for being lengthy, I must also reprove shadow Ministers.

The Government stand by the policy of full employment and believe that everybody capable of doing it should as far as possible be in a job.

Does my hon. Friend know that there is nothing which hon. Members opposite like more than plenty of unemployment?

Is the hon. Lady aware that her own Ministry has said that, of the total number, 60 per cent. are not genuinely seeking employment? Will she take steps to make sure that the figures published actually reflect the number of people looking for employment?

The position of the Ministry is not that 60 per cent. are not genuinely seeking employment, but that a number have particular difficulties in finding employment as a result of handicap or disablement or difficulties of age. It is the policy of the Government to try to meet those difficulties, which are beyond the power of the individual to meet, in every possible way.

Order. We have done well today by short sharp questions and answers. I congratulate the House.