HC Deb 18 February 1986 vol 92 c171
1. Mr. Patrick Thompson

asked the Paymaster General how many graduates are now being trained on the graduate enterprise programme.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. David Trippier)

In 1985–86 graduates are taking part in the programme at Stirling university, St. David's college, Lampeter, the Cranfield institute of technology and the London enterprise agency with the Central Polytechnic of London. There are plans to expand the programme next year, when Durham and Warwick university business schools will join it.

Mr. Thompson

I welcome that and other measures to improve the employment prospects of graduates. May I ask why the numbers are so low? Does my hon. Friend agree that we must encourage further incentives and initiatives from private industry to improve and increase the numbers of talented graduates who have the right attitude and motivation? We must do more, and I hope that we are doing more.

Mr. Trippier

It is important to stress that those are only pilot schemes. They form part of training for enterprise, which is a massive programme, on which we are spending £14.3 million in helping more than 25,000 people. I note the thrust of my hon. Friend's argument. I am anxious to develop and strengthen the programme as quickly as possible.