§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he is planning to take to ensure that the modern apprenticeship scheme will promote equal opportunities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made it clear that he wants to see modern apprenticeships open equally to young women and young men. We shall be asking industry training organisations to take into account all aspects of equal opportunities in apprenticeship models they develop, and shall continue to place a contractual requirement on training and enterprise councils to ensure equality of opportunity in all their activities.