asked the Paymaster General what has been the Government's response to the industry consultation paper recently published by the Engineering industry training board.

The Government welcome the lead that the board is taking in reviewing what needs to be done to tackle the training issues in the engineering industry. I am meeting the chairman of the EITB tomorrow (4 March) when I shall be discussing with him the industry's response to the options in the information paper.

asked the Paymaster General what steps he is taking to help the engineering industry training board improve the volume of engineering training.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) and for Knowsley, North (Mr. Howarth) on 16 December 1986 at column 1039.