HC Deb 05 June 1984 vol 61 c150
10. Mr. Blair

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made on renewal of youth training schemes.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The renewal of appropriate youth training schemes is currently being negotiated to ensure that sufficient suitable places are available to meet the needs of eligible young people in the coming year. I am satisfied that those arrangements are progressing well.

Mr. Blair

How will the Minister ensure that cheap labour schemes will be weeded out when the training schemes are renewed? What assurance can he give the House that the paramount criterion for renewing the scheme is the value to the young person of the training involved, rather than value to the employer and cheap labour?

Mr. Morrison

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State told the House earlier, this is a year of consolidation for the youth training scheme. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the quality element of training should be of paramount importance.