§ 10. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for expanding the number of skillcentres in the Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire areas.
§ Mr. GoldingThe Manpower Services Commission informs me that a new skill-centre with 135 training places is being built for the Training Services Agency at Reading, and another with 140 places is being built at Swindon. The agency hopes that training at both skillcentres will start by the end of 1977. In addition, the skillcentre at Slough is being expanded to provide 329 places.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment in my constituency is running close to the national average? Does he appreciate that the waiting time for the skillcentre in Slough is now so long advanced that a reserve waiting list has had to be introduced at the job centre? Will the hon. Gentleman put pressure on his Department to get the skillcentres at Reading and Swindon brought forward as a matter of great urgency?
§ Mr. GoldingI do not think that is possible, although I can say that we shall do our best to get them established by the end of 1977. It should be emphasised that these are not the only establishments at which TOPS courses are provided; they are also provided in colleges of further education. I am certain that the Training Services Agency will note the hon. Gentleman's remarks.
§ Mr. DykesWill the hon. Gentleman give consideration to the skillcentres in the Greater London area, bearing in mind that whilst the outer London boroughs have had an easy time on the unemploy- 1508 ment front so far, a much more disturbing longer-term trend is now setting in, of semi-permanent unemployment? In the London borough of Harrow, for example, the nearest skillcentre is at Perivale, with far too limited opportunities.
§ Mr. GoldingI have recently visited a skillcentre in London. I have discussed expansion in London with the Training Services Agency.