§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the future of the Kidbrooke annexe to the Charlton skillcentre.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that Kidbrooke annexe is one of 20 skillcentres and annexes to be put to the commissioners later this month as candidates for possible closure. No decision on closures have yet been taken; but I understand that Kidbrooke annexe is included in the list on the grounds that there are considerable premises problems at the annexe and that it would anyway be superseded by a new skillcentre nearby at Deptford which is already under construction.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees 241W have successfully completed each course at the Kidbrooke annexe to the Charlton skillcentre since opening; and how many were subsequently placed in jobs using the skills they learnt.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that 252 trainees have successfully completed courses at Kidbrooke annexe since it opened in July 1977; and that 194 of these—76.2 per cent.—were placed on completion of their course in jobs using the skills they have learnt.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places were (a)available, and (b)taken up on each of the courses provided at the Kidbrooke annexe to the Charlton skillcentre during the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that 80 places in six classes are available at Kidbrooke annexe. On average 71 of these places have been occupied over the last 12 months—89 per cent.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total capitalcost of providing and equipping the Kidbrooke annexe to the Charlton skillcentre and what has been the running cost during each year of its operation.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the approximate total cost of providing and equipping Kidbrooke annexe has been £304,000. The running costs—excluding trainee allowances—have been approximately £226,000 in 1977–78 and £247,500—estimated—in 1978–79.
§ Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many skillcentres were completed during the years 1977, 1978 and 1979; how many are currently under construction; and which ones he expects to be completed during 1980 and in 1981.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 8 January 1980, c. 825]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for skillcentres, that the following new skillcentres and skillcentre annexes were opened:
1977—7; 1978—3; 1979—NIL
242WIn addition, in 1977 an office training centre and in 1979 a youth training centre were opened.
Three new skillcentres are currently under construction. Subject to decisions by the MSC later this month, centres at Barking and Redditch are expected to openin 1980 and at South-East London (Deptford) in 1981. In addition, an industrial training centre (Liverpool), a youth training centre (Lambeth) and a rebuilt skillcentre (Slough) are expected to open in 1980. A rebuilt skillcentre is expected to open in Accrington in 1981.