HC Deb 24 June 1996 vol 280 c4W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people are at present pursuing traditional apprenticeships. [33912]

Mr. Paice

In winter 1995–96 150,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in Great Britain were doing a recognised trade apprenticeship.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the annual cost of the new apprenticeship programme since its inception. [33865]

Mr. Paice

Modern apprenticeships were launched on a pilot basis in England in 1994–95. The Department's spend for that year was £0.897 million. Provisional outturn for 1995–96, the first year of the national initiative, is £14.777 million.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people are currently pursuing the new apprenticeships. [33911]

Mr. Paice

As at March 1996, there were 26,100 people on modern apprenticeships in Great Britain.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many traditional apprenticeships were completed in each year since 1985. [33913]

Mr. Paice

The information is not available. Data on the number of people doing a recognised trade apprenticeship each year are published in table F4 of "Training Statistics 1995".