§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Paymaster General what steps the Government are taking to encourage manual and technical skills training courses for women in skillcentres; and how many women-only manual and technical skills courses in skillcentres there are nationally.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 5 December 1986, c. 835–37]: Single-sex training courses which prepare people to enter occupations in which their sex is seriously under-represented can lawfully be run under the provisions of section 47 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. The Government encourage training providers, including the Skills Training Agency, to make use of these provisions where they will help to overcome relevant skill needs in the economy.
Women-only courses in manual and technical skills are currently being run in four skillcentres. The Skill Training Agency has embarked on a programme to improve access to skillcentre training by introducing modularisation and open learning methods which should be of particular benefit to women.
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Paymaster General, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Barking on 28 November, why the closure of the women's introduction to manual skills courses at Deptford skillcentre was carried out without consultation with the London boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich, and whether the Manpower Services Commission has received representations alleging racism and sexism at Deptford skillcentre.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 5 December 1986, 835–37]: Consultation took place prior to the decision to move the course, at a meeting with representatives of the three London boroughs on 24 July 1986.
The Manpower Services Commission (MSC) has received representations alleging racism and sexism at Deptford skillcentre. All representations have been investigated and responded to by MSC management.
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Paymaster General if he will instruct the Manpower Services Commission to co-operate with the inquiry sponsored by the London boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich to look into the allegations of racism and sexism at the Deptford skillcentre.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 5 December 1986, c. 835–37]: The Manpower Services Commission investigates any allegation made of discriminatory behaviour by its staff, and co-operates fully with all inquiries in respect of racial and sex discrimination initiated by statutory bodies with legal responsibilities.
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Paymaster General how many (a) women and (b) men are currently undergoing training courses at skillcentres in the Greater London area; how many are currently undergoing courses at the Deptford skillcentre; and which courses they are taking.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 5 December, 1986 c. 835–37]: There are 108 women and 768 men currently undergoing training courses at skillcentres in the Greater London area, of whom 48 and 170 respectively are at the Deptford skillcentre. Numbers currently on courses at the Deptford skillcentre are shown on the following table.
226W
Course Women Men Bricklaying 0 11 Carpentry and Joinery 3 20 Engineering Production 0 7 Heating and Ventilation 0 12 Heavy Vehicle Repair and Maintenance 1 9 Industrial Electronics 1 7 Light Fabrication and Welding 0 9 Motor Vehicle Body Repair and Maintenance 0 9 Motor Vehicle Repair and Maintenance 2 9 New Technology Access 20 4 Office Machinery and Servicing 0 9 Painting and Decorating 0 3 Plastering 1 11 Plumbing 1 12 Radio and TV Service and Maintenance 0 8 Sheet Metal Working 0 8 Silk Screen Printing 4 6 Specialist Woodworking 2 11 Women's Introduction to Manual Skills 3 0 Work Related Skills Assessment 10 5 TOTALS 48 170