§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Scottish local authorities not participating in youth training schemes.
§ Mr. RifkindThere are five Scottish local authorities not participating in the present one year YTS. These are Gordon, Moray, Strathkelvin, Badenoch and Strathspey and Annandale and Eskdale District councils. The Manpower Services Commission is currently in negotiation with local authorities over participation in two-year YTS which begins on 1 April. Only Clydebank district council has notified the MSC that it will not be participating.
§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to seek to encourage Scottish local authorities to employ people in youth training schemes.
§ Mr. RifkindLocal authorities in Scotland have been major participants in and have contributed greatly to the success of the existing one-year YTS. The arrangements governing the structure and funding of two-year YTS which begins on 1 April were arrived at after wide consultation with all the relevant national interests including those representing local authorities. Many local authorities have already decided to participate in the new YTS and I am confident that, following detailed discussions with the Manpower Services Commission, many others will do likewise.
§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reasons are given by Scottish local authorities for not participating in youth training schemes.
§ Mr. RifkindParticipation in the YTS by employers, local authorities and other sponsors is voluntary and is for these bodies alone to decide. I understand, however, that reasons for not participating can include such diverse considerations as adequacy of alternative provision and failure to secure trade union support. In relation to two-year YTS, Clydebank district council has indicated that the decision it has reached not to participate arises principally from concern about the new funding arrangements. However it will monitor developments and the decision does not preclude possible participation in YTS at a later date.
§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on youth training schemes in Scotland.
§ Mr. RifkindSince YTS was launched in 1983 in partnership with employers, trade unions, local authorities and others, it has helped well over 100,000 young people in Scotland to make the transition from school to the world of work. On 1 April, the new two-year YTS will be introduced in which the Government will be investing over 599W £1 billion by 1987/88—the highest investment ever made in youth training in this country. Reaction in Scotland to the new YTS has for the most part been very supportive and encouraging and I am confident that the necessary places will be secured.