§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the reorganisation of the departments of employment and training services in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithYes. As part of the major programme of modernisation, announced in "Into Action" in December 1972, the employment services in Liverpool will be organised in two districts, one covering central Liverpool and the other the surrounding employment exchange areas of Garston, Old Swan, Walton, Bootle, Regent Road and Crosby. For the training services it is the aim to set up a district office in Liverpool by about July 1974. There will, of course, be the closest possible co-operation between the two services. Naturally these arrangements will be subject to review in the light of experience.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the Government training centre facilities in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe Government Training Centre at Liverpool now provides nearly 400 places. Many additional training places have been provided on Merseyside in colleges and with employers under the Training Opportunities Scheme. In 1970 fewer than 700 places were available under Government training arrangements on Merseyside. There are now more than 1,700 and further expansion is planned.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Liverpool.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanI visited Liverpool to see for myself the progress 55W which has been made towards implementing my Department's plans for modernising the employment and training services. I was greatly encouraged by the progress that is being made. The new Jobshop, PER Office and Occupational Guidance Unit at Graeme House and the improved premises and organisation at Leece Street all represent progressive steps towards the type of facilities which I hope will become universal in the not too distant future.
I also visited the Liverpool Government Training Centre and Industrial Rehabilitation Unit and had discussions with the managers of all my Department's training centres in the region. I am happy to report that our training programme in the North West Region is going well. The number of people likely to be trained in 1973 is over 6,000 compared with under 2,000 in 1970.
My visit reinforced my opinion that the current developments in my Department's services will assist those who are seeking employment or training in a new skill and will make a valuable contribution to improving the employment position on Merseyside.