HL Deb 02 December 1985 vol 468 c1182WA
Lord Molloy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy concerning the provision of financial aid to local authorities which want to establish information technology centres and, where applicable, satellite centres.

Lord Young of Graffham

The Manpower Services Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry provide financial support to local authorities, and other organisations, which sponsor Information Technology Centres (ITeCs). This support is conditional upon the sponsors' ability to provide good quality training related to the needs of local young people and the requirements of the local labour market. The ITeC network has expanded rapidy from the 20 announced by the Prime Minister in July 1981 to the 175 now in operation. The ITeC programme is now entering a period of consolidation. There are, therefore, currently no plans to expand the ITeC programme and no extra funds are available for potential sponsors.