§ 64. Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many training award scheme trainees for mechanical engineering have been allocated in Exeter by the Engineering Industry Training Board for 1982; and what were the figures for 1981 and 1980.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonTraining award schemes are designed to make good estimated shortfalls in recruitment of apprentices by employers and decisions about the size and distribution of an engineering award scheme for 1982 are unlikely to be taken until early that year. The Engineering Industry Training Board anticipates allocating four or five training awards to Exeter in 1981, which compares with seven awards in 1980; however the number has yet to be finalised.
The Government are at present discussing with the Manpower Services Commission the need and scope for further action to maintain apprentice training this year.