§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate how many more people could be resettled in jobs if the resources available to the Manpower Services Commission for the training opportunities scheme were concentrated on those courses which have the best results in getting people into jobs.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonJust over half the 64,000 unemployed people who completed occupational training and work preparation courses under the training opportunities scheme in 1983–84 found jobs within three months. Changes are now under way to make the Government's adult training programmes more effective, and to increase the number of unemployed people helped. Once these changes are fully implemented, 125,000 unemployed people a year should benefit from training closely related to known employment needs; and the employment prospects of 125,000 employed people will also be improved through training programmes aimed at updating or extending their skills.