§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many technician apprentices have commenced their training at the aeronautical quality assurance directorate at Harefield in the current year as compared with each of the past five years; and what are the comparable figures for the electrical quality assurance directorate at Bromley.
§ Mr. PattieIn 1981, 10 technician apprentices commenced training at the aeronautical quality assurance directorate at Harefield. The figures for the previous five years were; 1976 (7); 1977 (14); 1978 (11); 1979 (14); 1980 (10). Comparable figures for the electrical quality assurance directorate at Bromley are: 1976 (20); 1977 (47); 1978 (46); 1979 (18); 1980 (28); 1981 (10).
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards maintaining the training programme of both craft and technician apprentices at the aeronautical quality assurance directorate at Harefield; if he will consider increasing the apprentice opportunities as an alternative to additional expenditure under the youth opportunities programme; what differences in cost there would be; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieSince 1976 only technician apprentices have been trained at the aeronautical quality assurance directorate at Harefield: the numbers taken in for training are given in reply to my hon. Friends other question for today.
The policy of the aeronautical quality assurance directorate is to continue to recruit and train technician 144W apprentices but their training course will be transferred to the electrical quality assurance directorate at Aquila, Bromley, where there is spare capacity and hostel accommodation if required. The likely date for completing the transfer is early in 1983. The reason for the transfer is to make more effective use of our resources: there will be a saving in costs.
The policy of the Ministry of Defence in 1981 was to take in for training the numbers of apprentices needed to meet our requirements and that policy will be followed in 1982. The Secretary of State for Employment is aware of the excellent apprentice training facilities which exist in Defence establishments and the current spare capacity. He will no doubt take advantage of this spare capacity if the Department of Employment and the Manpower Services Commission see a need to do so.
The question of increasing the number of apprentices in Defence establishments as an alternative to extra expenditure on YOP was considered with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and it was found to be inappropriate.