§ 12. Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications were made in the last period for which figures are available for places on training opportunities scheme courses; how this compares with the period 12 months earlier; and whether he will make a statement on the provision of training opportunities scheme courses and places.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in the three months ended 31st December 1977 48,803 applications were received for TOPS courses. In the same period 12 months earlier, the number of applications received was 56,851. The Manpower Services Commission is currently reviewing the training opportunities scheme and will be considering its future 237 scale and balance in the light or the review.
§ Mr. CorbettWill my hon. Friend ask the Manpower Services Commission to pay particular attention to the handling of applications and the speedy placing of those who apply, especially in areas of higher-than-average unemployment, against the background of the growing need for a number of people now out of work to retrain if they are to obtain jobs?
§ Mr. GoldingI shall certainly do so.
§ Mr. HayhoeWill the Minister look at the administrative and bureaucratic elements within the training opportunities scheme, which seem to be growing rather faster than is justified?
§ Mr. GoldingI shall draw the attention of the Manpower Services Commission to the hon. Gentleman's remarks.