§ 2. Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of adult job retraining places within the Greater London council area.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. Peter Morrison)We plan to train approaching 12,000 people this year in Greater London through the training opportunities scheme. In 1985–86 we expect to support nearly 17,000 adult training places in Greater London.
§ Mr. CoxIs the Minister aware that the reply that I recently received from his Department made it clear that there are well over 65,000 men and women over the age of 50 who are unemployed in London? As many of them still have commitments — their children may he at school, or they may be buying their house—they have little hope of taking up a place on an adult retraining scheme. At this Christmas season, what message of hope can the Minister offer to those people? In particular, what can he tell them about their future employment prospects?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am aware of what the hon. Gentleman says about unemployment in Greater London. However, the numbers to be trained next year will substantially increase because of the rejigging of the adult training strategy. Some £75 million will be spent through the Manpower Services Commission on training and retraining in London.
§ Dr. TwinnHow many training places are provided in Greater London through the Greater London Training Board, as opposed to the Manpower Services Commission?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe Greater London Training Board, by way of topping up the work of the MSC, has spent £7 million this year, compared with expenditure of £75 million by the MSC.