§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many retraining places are available in Scotland and England, respectively; and what was the percentage taken up in both countries during 1976.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information is not available in the form requested. At 30th September 1976 there were 1,763 places available under the training opportunities scheme for skill-centre training in Scotland and 13,000 in England. Outside skillcentres, the scheme makes use of facilities in colleges and employers' establishments as necessary. The percentage of skillcentre places taken up by the TOPS trainees 451W varies from month to month, but throughout 1976, levels of occupancy in skill-centres in both countries have been around 85 per cent.