§ 18. Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had recently with representatives of further education colleges and youth training providers to identify and discourage any duplication of waste in staff, premises, equipment and operational costs.
§ Mr. HowardI have frequent discussions with those groups. The introduction of training and enterprise councils will lead to greater co-ordination and streamlin-ing of further education and training provision.
§ Mr. TredinnickI am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend. Is not it the case that where training vouchers are to be introduced next April, students will for the first time be able to shop around between different educational and training establishments? Does my right hon. and learned Friend welcome that?
§ Mr. HowardMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. The training vouchers, which will be introduced in 11 pilot schemes from next April, are just one of the initiatives in which we lead the world. The vouchers will for the first time give young people buying power to ensure that they receive training of the highest quality. My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to that important initiative.