HC Deb 26 January 2004 vol 417 cc10-1
7. Mr. Bill Tynan(Lab) (Hamilton, South)

How many modern apprenticeships are provided by the Department; and if he will make a statement. [150159]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Ivor Caplin)

The Ministry of Defence trains its personnel for the operational and business requirement. However, as part of that training we are also committed to providing opportunities to obtain civilian qualifications, including modern apprenticeships. There are currently 13,789 modern apprenticeships in the armed forces, representing approximately 7 per cent. of those currently serving.

Mr. Tynan

I thank my hon. Friend for his response. The Department should be congratulated on the fact that many servicemen and women are benefiting from modern apprenticeships. However, does he accept that there is little opportunity at present for the training of apprentices in private industry, so would he consider using MoD facilities to give private industry the opportunity to benefit from those training services?

Mr. Caplin

We are already working with the private sector where possible, but we would certainly like to investigate further the opportunity to develop training links between the Ministry of Defence and the private sector.

Mr. David Watts(Lab) (St. Helens, North)

I agree that many of our armed forces' facilities are the finest in the country, but there is an awful lot of spare capacity. Is it not time that the Department carried out an audit to see what spare capacity there is and how we can expand training facilities in those areas?

Mr. Caplin

We are always looking at the defence training estate, and shall continue to do so. When any conclusions are reached, we shall of course tell the House.