WESTM NSTER HAUL
Page 7
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IF FIRST indications are anything to go by, the Road Transport Industry Training Board need have no fears.
True, no one has said that the Board will be wound up, but the possibility is there, floating around in the vague future. But should that possibility become a certainty, then the Government will find that it is up against some of its backbenchers,
That is, of course, assuming that the Tories have the courage of their apparent convictions.
But all that lies in the unknown months ahead. Certainly there was no threat from Employment Secretary Jim Prior when the Commons approved the Bill allowing a shake-up in training methods. His critics on the Right would no doubt say that he gave a typical performance — as reasonable a line as possible, wihout singling out any board for condemnation (or praise).
Not that Labour's main speaker Harold Walker, went much further. As was only to be expected, he was opposed to the proposals, but he made little mention of individual boards to back up his case.
His only mention of the RTITB was to quote its views about the danger which could lie ahead.
It had better be admitted here and now that the debate did not produce a united paean of praise for the RTITB. Tory Robert Taylor, for instance, was not at all happy with the inflation-proof salary of its director, which, he read, was already over £28,000.
Colleague Warren Hawksley, on the other hand, was sure there was no extravagance. And he has one of the Board's training centres in his constituency of The Wrekin, which is more than Mr Taylor can boast about North-West Croydon.
Mr Hawksley has visited the centre many times, and he knows that the Board has rationalised its training methods and responded to the present situation.
But it has not responded to the distresscall issued by Nicholas Scott on behalf of the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association. He could not understand why this special group should come under the RTITB, which he accused of manifestly failing to show any concern for the special needs of this unexpected child.
As he pointed out, the work of those dealing with agricultural and garden machinery was not compatible with that ol the motor trade — after all, they went out in all weathers.
Comments from lorry drivers and mechanics trying to start vehicles stranded in a sudden snowstorm should be sent tc the Member for Chelsea, and not this column.