§ Mr. Timothy Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment what important improvements have been made by his Department since May 1979 in the field of women's affairs.
§ Mr. AlisonWomen's employment interests are best served by Government policies aimed at creating the right economic climate for an effective and competitive industry. Women can and do make use of Government employment and training services which are open on equal terms to men and women. In addition, the Government have set up the new training initiative, at an annual cost of £1.5 billion—from 1983–84—which includes a £1 billion a year youth training scheme. Women as well as men will benefit from the opportunities offered. The Government do, however, recognise that in some circumstances women have special needs and the Manpower Services Commission has a small programme of training for women only in skills where women are under-represented and for women returning to the labour market after a period of absence.