§ Lord Stallardasked Her Majesty's Government:
What criteria are being applied to justify the closure of skillcentres, and how many centres will be affected.
§ The Minister Without Portfolio (Lord Young of Graffham)Under the adult training strategy the Government plan to double the number of adults who will benefit from the training programmes it funds directly, and the objectives for skillcentres reflect our determination that as much as possible of the money available for training should be spent on real training provision rather than on subsidising institutions. The Manpower Services Commission has agreed therefore that as from the 1986–87 financial year the skillcentre training agency will be required to cover its costs from fee income without any subvention from the taxpayer.
In order to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its services and meet its break-even requirement, the agency has recommended, and the Manpower Services Commission—by a majority—accepted, that 29 of the existing 87 skillcentres should close by April 1986, leaving the agency to operate a streamlined network covering all major centres of population in Great Britain, and supported by an expanded mobile instructor service.
The chairman of the commission has reported the commission's conclusions to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Employment, who is currently considering its advice.