HC Deb 06 May 1983 vol 42 cc177-8W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the officials of the Manpower Services Commission who were in any way involved in drawing up the £29 million project for a managing agency for the administration of youth training in the north-west; to whom the agency has been awarded; and who are the principals or directors of the managing agent selected.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I assume the hon. Member refers to proposals put forward by Link organisation for a series of youth trilling scheme managing agencies in various parts of the country which, if approved, would in total involve expenditure of £29 million including managing agency fees of £1.5 million. The proposals are subject to approval by the appropriate representative area manpower boards; one proposal in inner Liverpool has so far been agreed in principle.

The directors of Link organisation are Mrs. C. A. Rees, Mr. J. Cordrey, Mr. E.J. Bewment and Mr. G. W. Brimyard, who is also secretary. Mrs. Rees was chief training adviser of the recently abolished distributive industry training board. The drawing up of proposals for a managing agency, which confers no exclusive rights, is the responsibility of the potential managing agent.

A large number of local officers of the MSC are involved in the several areas concerned in advising Link organisation, like other potential managing agents, in the drawing up of their proposals. Those arising in the North-West region were specially referred to MSC head office at the time when Mrs. Rees's husband was the MSC regional director there.