asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has held any discussions with employers and representatives of the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress about the effectiveness of the Ceramics, Glass and Minerals Products Industry Training Board; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has had no discussions with employers, the CBI or the TUC for this purpose. Oversight of the day-to-day operation of industry training boards—ITBs—is the responsibility of the Manpower Services Commission—MSC—which is currently carrying out a fundamental review of the Employment and Training Act 1973 as it affects industrial training. In the course of the review the MSC will be looking at the work of all the ITBs, among other relevant matters.