HC Deb 24 January 1984 vol 52 cc757-8
9. Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with current provision for adult retraining; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

My right hon. Friend is currently considering proposals put to him by the Manpower Services Commission for a more effective strategy for adult training and retraining.

Mr. Bowden

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply. Will he take into account the views of the Association of Polytechnic Teachers, which advocates access for the mature student to institutions of higher education and polytechnics in order to retrain for professional employment?

Mr. Clark

Many interests were taken into account, including those of the teaching profession, during the preparation of the report.

Mr. Dubs

Does the Minister agree that there is an urgent need to increase the amount of training in new technology for employed and unemployed adults? Will he use some of the large underspend on YTS for that purpose?

Mr. Clark

There is much in what the hon. Gentleman says. In 1983–84 it is planned to provide about 6,300 places under the training opportunities scheme in new technology and computing skills.

Mr. Penhaligon

Will the Minister state how many people are currently in adult retraining and what that represents as a percentage of the male unemployed?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Clark

I shall have to write to the hon. Gentleman with that answer.

Mr. Sheerman

Does not the Minister's hesitancy in answering that question underline the fact that the forgotten generation of those between 17 and 25, for whom the Government have no policy for training or retraining, are the people, in their hundreds and thousands, to whom the Government offer no hope and no future?

Mr. Clark

I reject what the hon. Gentleman says. As he well knows, the training schemes implemented and programmed by the Government are larger than those of any of our predecessors.