§ 23. Mrs. Virginia Bottomleyasked the Paymaster General how many young people have now completed YTS courses.
§ Mr. TrippierUnder one-year YTS, which ran between 1 April 1983 and 31 March 1986, 1,166,255 people started in schemes. Up to 31 October 1986 there have been 548,704 completers.
Since the introduction of two-year YTS on 1 April 1986 up to 31 October 1986 there have been 315,357 entrants, but it is too early to say how many will complete their training.
§ 44. Sir John Farrasked the Paymaster General what new steps he is taking to promote support for YTS among trade unions.
§ Mr. TrippierYTS has the active support of the TUC and large numbers of individual unions. The commission maintains a close liaison with all unions involved in YTS. MSC staff, both at head office and in the field organisation, meet frequently with union officials to develop particular schemes or to discuss particular aspects of YTS.
Unions not currently associated with YTS feature in the commission's ongoing marketing plans. A number of general YTS pamphlets and videos are available for this purpose.
§ 53. Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Paymaster General if he will introduce into YTS an element of overseas service in the Third world.
§ Mr. TrippierYTS is provided through independent managing agents who are responsible, within the agreed guidelines, for preparing the training programmes they propose to offer to trainees. If a programme is proposed which includes overseas experience, the general rule is that this is acceptable provided that such training forms an integrated part of the programme and there are adequate safeguards covering essential matters such as safety and insurance.
§ 78. Mr. Lawlerasked the Paymaster General when he will respond to the recommendations made by the commissioner of the Manpower Services Commission regarding the YTS.
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§ Mr. TrippierI refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member of Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox) on 3 December 1986 at columns671–73.