§ 35. Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals the Manpower Services Commission has put forward for the Open Tech's retraining programme over the next three years.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Commission has proposed that its training budget should be reallocated so that the Open Tech programme can be substantially increased in 1983–84 and subsequent years. My right hon. Friend is currently considering its proposals. Firm contracts have now been placed for the first 12 projects to be funded under the programme and further projects are in the pipeline. The Government shares the commission's belief that the programme has a major contribution to make to widening training opportunities in technician and supervisory skills.