HC Deb 24 July 1987 vol 120 cc665-6W
Mr. Rees

asked the Secretary of State for Employment for how many people on the job training scheme placements have been found with employers.

Mr. Cope

I regret that this information is not yet available.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will require Manpower Services Commission to monitor, record and publish by area the number of disabled people who (a) apply for and (b) secure a place on the job training scheme.

Mr. Cope

I have no plans for an increase in the information about participation by disabled people in the job training scheme, which is described in my reply of 13 July 1987, at column348, to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley), but I will be keeping this matter under review. Applications for a place on the scheme come from a number of different sources including restart interviews, jobcentres and self referral and collecting information about their characteristics would involve disproportionate cost.

Mr. David Nicholson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether statistical information, including lists of all practical work experience provided with trainees allocated to them, will be made available to area manpower board representatives of trade unions which have indicated their hostility to the job training scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

Statistical information about the operation of the new job training scheme is presented to the Manpower Services Commission's area manpower boards each month. At its meeting on 23 July the commission agreed that it should change this procedure so far as the provision of lists of practical experience placements is concerned.

Mr. David Nicholson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to occasions when Open Tech unit staff have withdrawn their support for the job training scheme as a result of instructions from local education authorities opposed to job training scheme; what action he has taken or proposes to take in those circumstances; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

There have been no occasions when staff of the Manpower Services Commission's open learning branch (formerly the open tech unit) have taken any action involving withdrawal of support for the job training scheme. My hon. Friend may be referring to the now independent organisations established under the open tech programme (which was completed on 31 March 1987). MSC initiated these organisations by contracting with LEAs, among other bodies. Under these contracts, which are now at an end, LEA staff sold and supported open learning materials under the title open tech delivery project. I would deplore directions issued by LEAs about withdrawing support from the scheme.