§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the regulations governing travelling and subsistence allowances for Government training courses run by his Department.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that under the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) run by the Training Services Agency, trainees who travel more than two miles to their training establishment receive reimbursement of fares by public transport over the most economical route. Disabled trainees, to whom the two-mile rule does not apply, receive reimbursement of fares irrespective of the length of journey. Trainees who travel by car are paid the cost of petrol and oil within the limits of the cheapest form of public transport.
Trainees receive a basic training allowance, which varies according to age and number of dependants. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a leaflet containing the current rates. In addition trainees receive either a free mid-day meal on working days or a meal allowance in lieu. An allowance is also paid to cover the cost of lodgings to trainees who have to live away from home while attending the training establishment.
§ Mr. Bulmerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give the numbers of persons trained or retrained under Government auspices during the year 1973 and during the year 1974 to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the number of persons who successfully completed courses of training under the Training Opportunities Scheme in 1973 was 39,930. In the period 1st January to 30th September 1974, the latest date for which figures are available, the number was 34,706.
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§ Mr. Bulmerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the target figure for the year 1976 relating to the number of workers to be trained or retrained under Government auspices.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the target for people to be trained under the Training Opportunities Scheme this year is 60,000, and the target for 1976 is still under consideration.