§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many training places have been made available, respectively, in Teesside and in the Northern Region as a whole under the vocational training scheme providing 12-week courses.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkForty-seven such places are available on skills appreciation courses in Teesside and 253 in the Northern Region as a whole.
§ Mr. Sydney Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what support he proposes to give to Group Training Associations when ITB's present levy-grant arrangements come to an end.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe Government recognise the value of group training schemes and are anxious that they should be encouraged. In settling with industrial training boards this year their first round of plans and budgets under the new training arrangements, we shall see
406W
Number Percentage of unemployed total Males Females Males Females January 1973 (provisional) … 7,781 1,189 86.7 13.3 January 1972 … 9,874 1,343 88.0 12.0 January 1971 … 6,819 876 88.6 11.4 January 1970 … 6,268 854 88.0 12.0 January 1969 … 5,524 761 87.9 12.1 January 1968 … 6,355 818 88.6 11.4 that boards which attach high priority to group training schemes will receive sufficient support from Exchequer funds to ensure that, together with what is available from continuing levy income, existing schemes are maintained and the development of new schemes is encouraged during the year 1974–75.
We also accept that in these plans and budgets provision for group training for later years can be based on a similar policy, but the Government can give no formal commitment for later years because direct responsibility will by them have passed to the Manpower Services Commission.