HC Deb 16 April 1996 vol 275 c391W
Mr. Bryan Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total public expenditure on publicity for the accelerated modern apprenticeships. [24575]

Mr. Paice

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 13 February 1996,Official Report, column 532.

No public money has been allocated by this Department specifically for the publicity of accelerated modern apprenticeships.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people started accelerated modern apprenticeships. [24576]

Mr. Paice

As at December 1995, there were 400 young people on accelerated modern apprenticeships in England and Wales.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was her Department's original forecast of the number of places that would be available on accelerated modern apprenticeships. [24574]

Mr. Paice

Resources were originally made available to support around 9000 places for accelerated Modern Apprenticeships in 1995–96. Feedback from training and enterprise councils and industry training organisations indicated that the needs of the young people involved could be better met by mainstream modern apprenticeships, and the Government agreed to merge accelerated modern apprenticeships and modern apprenticeships from the start of April this year.