§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the difficulties married women have in enrolling for employment training schemes because they are not entitled to assistance with child minding; and whether he will consider amending the regulations to ensure that assistance is given on the basis of family income and not marital status.
§ Mr. NichollsA number of representations have been received. However, our overall experience of the way the programme is operating does not indicate that married women are being deterred from joining employment training. There are no plans to extend child care payments to groups other than lone parents.