§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was (a) the Budget and (b) the spending on the voluntary projects programme from the Birmingham-Solihull office of the Manpower Services Commission in 1983–84; how many projects by name, location and numbers received what amounts of grant; and what is the total budget for voluntary projects programmes for 1984–85.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe voluntary projects programme cost £6.5 million in 1983–84, its first year of operation. All applications were handled centrally and there were no individual area budgets. Total spending in the Birmingham area in that year was £329,722; thirteen projects were funded and details are given in the following table. The voluntary projects programme will cost £7.2 million in 1984–85.
§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what provision the Manpower Services Commission's skillcentres make for women; and what percentage of their clients are women.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAll the standard courses which we support under the training opportunities scheme at skillcentres and elsewhere are open equally to men and women. Thirtyone per cent. of all training opportunities scheme trainees, and between 3 per cent. and 4 per cent. of skillcentre trainees, are women.