§ Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many training staff, and of what grades, are paid out of public funds, directly by his Department, or indirectly through other organisations or institutions funded from his Department, who were involved in the initial training of young people aged 16 years to 19 years leading to technical, trade or craft qualifications for 1979, 1980 and 1981.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonTraining leading to technical, trade or craft qualifications for people below the age of 19 is the responsibility of industry. The industrial training boards, most of whose staff in 1979, 1980 and 1981 were paid out of the grant in aid provided by my Department to the Manpower Services Commission, influence training in industry mainly through advice, training recommendations and levy/grant exemption schemes. In some cases they provide training directly, but it is not possible to identify a separate group of staff who are concerned with this kind of training alone. As to the small direct involvement of Manpower Services Commission staff, I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 23 December 1981—[Vol. 15 c.364].