§ 28. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he is taking to encourage employers to increase their apprenticed work force.
§ Mr. GoldingThe Governement are making available £41 million to the Manpower Services Commission to encourage employers to increase apprentice and similar openings in 1978. This should benefit 27,000 trainees. For later years, the Government have promised support for the commission's programme to improve the amount and quality of training in skills needed by industry.
§ 31. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for apprenticeship training there have been between 1st January and 31st March for which the Manpower Services Commission has not been able to offer places.
§ Mr. GoldingI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the commission does not itself undertake apprentice training, though it provides financial support towards the cost of training offered by industry. No statistics are maintained of the numbers of young people seeking an apprenticeship in industry who fail to secure one.