Wales

HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc647-8W

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will, under the job creation scheme, employ a team of persons for a temporary period to translate into Welsh the many forms used by the Inland Revenue which are currently only available in English in Wales.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that

Industry		Training Year	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78estimated
National Coal Board	…	April to March	2,350	2,203	1,650	2,000
British Gas	…	September to August	1,240	1,340	1,265	1,215
Electricity	…	April to March	1,275	1,199	1,034	1,000
Post Office	…	April to March	2,900	2,500	1,000	950
British Rail (Operations)	…	September to August	351	238	233	257
British Rail Engineering Ltd.	…	September to August	781	795	738	870
British Steel Corporation	…	September to August	1,065	1,322	1,087	1,100

NoteFigures for 1975–77 include a small but unspecified number recruited in response to grants under the Commission's special training measures programme.

Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the craft apprenticeship intake in the nationalised industries for 1977;and how this compares with the last three years.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the estimated intake of construction craft apprentices—which are the main craft intake—by local authorities in England and Wales for the years ending 31st July is as follows:

1974	1975	1976	1977
1,253	903	1,139*	914*
* includes a number recruited in response to grants under the Manpower Services Commission special training measures programme.

There are no corresponding figures available for other crafts or for Scottish local authorities.

Mr. John Evans

askedthe Secretary of State for Employment to what extent Training Services Agency support is available for new entrant craft apprenticeships in the public sector.

Mr. Golding

I understand from the Manpower Services Commission that TSA support is generally available to nationalised industries on the same basis as in the private sector: but in the case projects cannot be sponsored under the job creation programme by Government Departments.