§ Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the need to extend language training of immigrants; and what action he proposes to take to provide such training for immigrants in employment and for those who are unemployed.
§ Mr. LaneLanguage training for immigrants is grant-aided under Section 11 of the Local Government Act, 1966. Language and reception centres, and school holiday language and home teaching schemes are also grant-aided under the urban programme. A few local authorities provide language schemes for immigrants in employment, while some employment exchanges and local education authorities arrange special courses for the unemployed. Two existing pilot schemes to help unemployed immigrants to qualify for vocational training are being expanded. I am discussing with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Employment and for Education what other measures could usefully be taken.