HC Deb 17 June 1981 vol 6 cc1010-1
6. Mr. Ron Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were trained under the youth opportunities programme in Scotland during 1980.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

In the year from April 1980 to March 1981, 49,300 young people entered the youth opportunities programme in Scotland.

Mr. Brown

Is the governor-general aware —[Interruption.] —Is the Minister aware that youngsters are being cynically exploited as cheap labour? Is he further aware that as the programme proceeds many employers take on youngsters, but reduce apprenticeships? Can he say, in all honesty, how many youngsters trained last year under the youth opportunities programme obtained real jobs? We should be interested to know the figures.

Mr. Fletcher

I am aware that criticism is made of the programme on the grounds outlined by the hon. Gentleman. The Manpower Services Commission monitors the scheme closely to ensure that participants are not used as cheap labour, but gain useful experience and training. The requirement that all schemes should be approved by the appropriate trade unions provides an additional safeguard.

Most school leavers who do not go on to full-time further education can expect to find jobs within a few months of leaving school. Those who do not will be offered a place on the youth opportunities programme. Follow-up surveys have shown that five months after leaving the programme 70 per cent. of participants are in employment, full-time further education or training.

Mr. Lang

Following the Government's commendable expansion of the youth opportunities programme, does my hon. Friend agree that there is a need for improved and more flexible vocational, educational and training programmes for youngsters? Has he had an opportunity to consider the MSC consultative document?

Mr. Fletcher

Yes, Sir. As my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment is studying industrial training and the industrial training boards with a view to ensuring that the emphasis and direction of the youth opportunities programme is on and towards more vocational training.

Mr. Foulkes

Is the Minister aware that there have been representations from both sides of the House that the plethora of training schemes, apprenticeships and special measures should be replaced by some integrated scheme, so that youngsters can obtain training relevant to the jobs that might become available in Scotland and the remainder of Britain? When will there be an announcement about an integrated apprenticeship scheme for Scotland?

Mr. Fletcher

I agree with the point made by the hon. Gentleman. The Government are anxious to move towards an integrated scheme. He will know, better than most, that there are vested interests among the trade unions, the teaching profession and employers. Because of that, any fully integrated scheme requires a great deal of negotiation before it can be introduced. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment is working towards that aim. We shall be happy to make an announcement as soon as possible.

Mr. Bill Walker

Can my hon. Friend confirm that Scotland is in a unique position to do something constructive in this context? Scotland has a Minister with responsibility for education and industry. Should not that be used to the advantage of youngsters in Scotland? Perhaps we could give the remainder of Britain a lead in this respect.

Mr. Fletcher

I agree with my hon. Friend. Obviously, there are advantages in having a governor-general for Scotland.

Mr. Dempsey

Will the Minister investigate the desirability of allocating some of the many unemployed youngsters to the LETA training establishment at Coatbridge, which has many vacant places, especially as completion of such training leads to about 70 per cent. of them finding jobs?

Mr. Fletcher

I have discussed this matter with the hon. Gentleman on a number of occasions. He knows, as I do, that, rather surprisingly, it is difficult to find volunteers and applicants for some of the places in training establishments such as the one that he mentioned.