§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions have taken place between representatives 557W of his Department and the management of Millspaigh Ltd., Sheffield, concerning the future of apprentice training in the company, and the possible use of premises and machinery as a centre for the training of skilled engineers.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the Engineering Industry Training Board (EITB) has been closely involved with the resettlement of redundant apprentices of the Millspaigh Ltd., Sheffeld works, which closed on 29th January. I am told that the company, largely by its own efforts, has found other employers to take 35 of the 66 redundant apprentices. In addition the board has taken over the sponsorship of 12 first-year apprentices under its training award scheme. The EITB is co-ordinating efforts to secure employment for the remaining 19 apprentices and is hopeful of placing the majority of these before long. No discussions have taken place between the company and the Engineering Industry Training Board or the Training Services Agency on the possible use of the premises or machinery as a training centre for skilled engineers. In the opinion of both of these bodies the Sheffield area is already well served in this respect.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of engineering apprentices in Sheffield during each of the years 1971 to 1976.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested is not available. However, it is possible to give the number of young people entering engineering apprenticeships in Sheffield during the period; these are as follows:
1971 … … … … 354 1972 … … … … 330 1973 … … … … 225 1974 … … … … 564 1975 … … … … 482 1976 … … … … 340