§ 16. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of people who have attended Government training centres in Scotland in the years 1970 to 1972; how many in the respective years have found employment; what are the job prospects; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkBetween January, 1970 and 30th September, 1972, 4,448 trainees completed courses at Government training centres in Scotland. During this period 3,181 trainees were placed in their training trade. Employment prospects vary according to trade and locality, but 63 per cent. of trainees in Scotland are currently being placed in their trade.
§ 25. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many additional places in Government training centres he expects to become available during the next 12 months.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkAbout 4,000 additional places in Government training centres are planned during the next 12 months.
§ 41. Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Employment for which trades long waiting lists exist at Government training centres, and what proposals he has for increasing capacity for training in those trades.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkWaiting lists vary by region and by trade. In many regions waiting periods are six months or over for places in the most popular trades, including bricklaying, electric welding, radio, television and electronics servicing and the motor vehicle trades. Urgent steps are being taken to provide additional places, and during the next 12 months about 4,000 new places are planned most of which will be in these trades.
§ 43. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made in recruiting instructors for 342W the Government's expanded industrial training programme.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThe expansion programme announced on 1st February created a need for 500 additional instructors; since that date 420 have been appointed.
§ 54. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent his new legislation on industrial training will meet the recommendations of the Bolton Committee on small firms.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThe present legislation permits exemption from levy, but my right hon. Friend is considering whether further statutory provision is desirable. As recommended by the Bolton Committee, my Department has invited industrial training boards to submit proposals to exclude more small firms from payment of levy.
§ 68. Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Employment what response there has been from employers with spare training capacity to the Government's proposals for using such capacity to increase training at public expense.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkEmployers' response to my Department's initiative has been encouraging. Courses are now in operation in 280 firms which are providing 2,500 training places.