§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now provide additional financial assistance to companies for apprenticeship schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim LesterAs the Secretary of State told the House recently, the Manpower Services Commission (MSC) is, as part of its response to the present high level of youth unemployment, making available additional funds to support a supplementary programme of some 1,500 extra apprentice places this year. The MSC is asking industry training boards to submit proposals for the allocation of these additional resources with a view 117W to making grants available to employers by the end of August.