§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many skilled instructors have been made redundant from skillcentres since 3 May 1979; how many are currently expected to be made redundant; what savings he expects will be achieved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission holds no central record of compulsory redundancies amongst skillcentre instructors but as far as is known there have been no compulsory redundancies since 3 May 1979. In 1984, 154 instructors left slcillcentres under the pre-redundancy arrangements of the model redundancy agreement. Of these 73 volunteered for retirement and a further 81 were required to retire at age 64.
The skillcentre training agency's proposals for the future development of the skillcentre network are designed to end the need for a subvention from the taxpayer forecast at £12 million for 1985–86. The Manpower Services Commission first considered these proposals on 13 December and will consider them again at its meeting on 24 January.
Some 1,050 staff would be affected by the proposals. but, in consultation with the trade unions concerned, STA management intend to effect the reduction with as little hardship as possible. Compulsory redundancy would only be considered after all other measures (redeployment, 37W voluntary early retirement and compulsory retirement at aged 60 and over) had been exhausted. It is expected to be necessary for only a minority of staff.