§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people wishing to pursue careers as engineering craftsmen or technicians took advantage of the Engineering Industry Training Board's 1972 scheme for unemployed school leavers at colleges of further education and in group training centres in East Anglia, by town; whether this first year off-the-job scheme was adjudged successful; and what future plans there are in collaboration with the Youth Employment Service.
Mr. Chichester-OarkI understand that in East Anglia 23 young people commenced training under the board's scheme in 1972 as follows: —
Bury St. Edmunds … … … 11 Norwich … … … 5 Great Yarmouth … … … 4 Cambridge … … … 2 Lowestoft … … … 1 The scheme has made a useful contribution by giving young people the opportunity for skilled employment in engineering which they would not otherwise have had.
I understand that with improved employment opportunities and the raising of the school leaving age this year the board does not foresee any need to continue the scheme in 1973.