HC Deb 14 June 1977 vol 933 cc215-6
11. Mr. David Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what effect the Government's special training measures have had on reducing unemployment.

Mr. Golding

At the latest count, 30,825 persons were in training places supported by industry and 4,448 were on the Training Services Agency special courses for young people. Most of these persons would have been unemployed without this support. Moreover, an increase in the number of skilled workers makes it possible for employers to expand production in a way which gives employment to others.

Mr. Hunt

Does the Minister agree that training facilities, in particular on Merseyside and for young people, are still far from meeting the needs of the unemployed and will become more and more inadequate as the year progresses? Will he, therefore, look again at the decision not to site a skillcentre in Wirral?

Mr. Golding

There are over 1,850 places on Merseyside, but I recognise the case that has been made by my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington and Ellesmere Port (Mr. Bates) and others for the necessity to have a skill centre in the Wirral. This is at present under consideration by the MSC.

Mr. Loyden

Has consideration been given to the submission made by the Liverpool Enterprise Development Unit, which has introduced innovations concerning unemployment which certainly merit consideration by the Department? Will my hon. Friend respond to the approaches made to him on this matter?

Mr. Golding

Together with my hon. Friend, I saw the delegation that made those representations and told them that I would respond when consideration had been given to the proposals of the Holland Report. That remains the case.