Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider special measures to increase the number of places for apprentices, in view of the shortage of skilled labour in many parts of industry.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe Government are continuing to support the Manpower Services Commission's "Training for Skills" programme under which Exchequer funds are made available where
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Aged under 20 years Aged 20–24 years Aged 25–34 years Aged 35–44 years 1975—July … 232,840* 203,386 190,492 124,971 1976—January … 224,545 228,953 265,290 169,133 July … 390,246* 224,850 256,801 165,089 1977—January … 252,328 254,916 299,180 185,279 July … 456,201* 252,316 286,249 177,318 1978—January … 274,822 276,418 323,341 195,661 July … 441,028* 238,376 275,958 167,593 1979—January … 240,492 259,013 304,458 178,959 July … 389,880* 225,494 254,020 151,029 1980—January … 240,425 271,250 306,555 177,332 * The July figures for those aged under 20 include considerable numbers of school leavers not present in the January figures. The January 1980 figures are affected by the introduction, in September 1979, of fortnightly attendance and payment of benefit. Estimates by age are not available, but for all unemployed in Great Britain the numbers are about 20,000 higher than under weekly attendance. required to support extra training, including extra places for apprentices, to help to meet the skill needs of industry.