§ Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of places available for industrial training in Government centres in the London boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark, respectively.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that at present there is no skillcentre— formerly Government training centre—in the four London boroughs quoted, but people wishing to train under the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) can do so at the nearest centres at Poplar, Waddon or Sydenham, or at any other skillcentre. Cources under TOPS are also provided in colleges of further education and approved employers' establishments and there are currently 167 people in training in these establishments in the four boroughs.
§ Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Employment how soon he expects to be able to establish the industrial training centre planned for the Deptford and Greenwich area; where it will be sited; and what have been the reasons for the delay.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Manpower Services Commission informs me that the Training Services Agency plans to establish a new skillcentre to serve South-East London and that a site has been chosen168W in Deptford. The site is exceptionally difficult to develop because of its physical limitations. Negotiations have had to be conducted with three planning authorities, and additional planning requirements have been introduced as local authorities gauged the effects of road-widening and road-development plans, and of general environmental developments. Discussions are still taking place between the Training Services Agency, the Property Services Agency and the appropriate local planning authorities, but it is too soon to say whether a viable scheme will be possible or, if one is possible, to give a completion date for the project.
§ Mr. Michael Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those currently unemployed are undergoing retraining in Government establishments; and what is the average length of time of such retraining courses.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that on 31st October 1974 there were 10,507 people undergoing training under the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) in skillcentres—formerly Government training centres—but the number of these who were unemployed at the time of entry to training is not known and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Training under TOPS is also available in colleges of further education and employers' establishments. During the four weeks ending 27th September 1974, the latest date for which figures are available, of the people whose applications were accepted for training under TOPS 62 per cent. were unemployed.
Most courses at skillcentres are in manual trades and last about six months. Courses in colleges and employers' establishments cover a wide range of subjects and vary in length from four weeks to 12 months.