§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has had about the possibility of assistance being given under the job creation and other schemes to enable unemployed persons to learn to drive cars and commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingMy Department has received a letter from the hon. Member concerning assistance for driving lessons. Apart from this, neither my Department nor the Manpower Services Commission has received representations about assistance under the Job Creation or any other programme to enable unemployed people to learn to drive cars.
Any project proposed under the Job Creation Programme, which incorporated driving instruction, would be considered against the criteria of the programme. Assistance is already available under the Training Opportunities Scheme for people who wish to take up heavy goods vehicle driving as an occupation.