§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any evidence that first-year apprentices employed by members of the Northern Ireland hairdressing federation are being dismissed at the end of the period of applicable training grant; and if he is satisfied with the provision and operation of the apprenticeship for hairdressing in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Butler[pursuant to his reply, 21 November 1983]: I have no evidence to show that first-year apprentices employed by members of the Northern Ireland hairdressing federation are dismissed on completion of that training year. The apprenticeship criteria for the hairdressing industry are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland hairdressing federation.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amounts were paid in apprentice training grants to the Northern Ireland hairdressing federation employers in (a) the current financial year, and (b) the four previous financial years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Butler[pursuant to his reply, 21 November 1983]: As the Department of Economic Development does not differentiate between grant paid to members of the Northern Ireland hairdressing federation and all other employers in the hairdressing sector it is not possible to provide the information in the form requested. Grants paid to the Industry as a whole in the seven months up to October 1983 totalled £291,945 and in the three preceding financial years expenditure was as follows:
Financial Year £ 1982–83 386,528 1981–82 225,142 1980–81 180,674