§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures have been introduced, since the start of the youth training scheme, to improve safety.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 28 March 1984, c. 199]: Trainees on the youth training scheme have always been covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in broadly the same way as employees. However, the Health and Safety (Youth Training Scheme) Regulations 1983, which came into operation on 11 January 1984, now require that trainees on the youth training scheme are treated in exactly the same way as employees.
With effect from 1 April 1984, all providers of training under the scheme will be contractually obliged to give the Manpower Services Commission a written undertaking that all premises used in their programmes have been
330Wnotified to the relevant health and safety enforcement authority where the law requires the premises to be so notified.
The commission has appointed a safety consultant to each of its nine regions to support the work of its existing staff on health and safety matters, and training for the staff concerned is being improved and extended.
More generally, the commission keeps health and safety arrangements under continuous review.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received against the closure of mode B projects under the youth training scheme; what is the reduction in such placements being planned; over what period; and what consultation has taken place with interested parties.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 28 March 1984, c. 199]: We have received a number of representations about the planned reduction in mode B1 provision in the coming year. At present, of the 90,000 mode B1 approved places available only some 55,300 are occupied. The Manpower Services Commission has been asked to plan for up to 70,000 entrants to mode B1 in 1984–85, and I am satisfied that suitable training places will be available on the scheme to meet the needs of all eligible youngsters.
The Manpower Services Commission has asked its local staff to achieve the required level of provision by the end of September after consultation with all interested parties including area manpower boards.