HC Deb 15 May 1984 vol 60 cc138-9
9. Mr. Colvin

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what help his Department is giving to promote the technical and vocational education initiative programme.

Sir Keith Joseph

The Department is working closely with the Manpower Services Commission on all aspects of the initiative.

Mr. Colvin

Besides TVEI, my right hon. Friend's Department also provides CELP, MEP and PICKUP. Is he certain that everyone knows what those programmes are? Will he carefully consider whether there is not a danger of overlap and wasteful duplication in the provision of technical and vocational training and education? In particular, surely PICKUP is trying to do what is already being done by the Open Tech.

Sir Keith Joseph

My hon. Friend should not be too discouraged by the proliferation of acronyms. Each tackles, I hope with rising success, different elements in the task of preparing people at school and after school for the world of work. I believe that all are justified.

Mr. Loyden

Will the Secretary of State give consideration to the limited places and limited locations for survival courses for the offshore and onshore oil and gas industries? Is he aware that the lack of courses affects employment opportunities?

Mr. Speaker

Briefly.

Mr. Loyden

Will he consider the responsibility of his Department to investigate where these courses can be placed, particularly bearing in mind areas of high unemployment and the possibility of training for the offshore and onshore oil and gas industries?

Sir Keith Joseph

I shall inform myself of the background to the hon. Gentleman's question.