§ 19. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the plans by the Manpower Services Commission to increase spending on officially sponsored training schemes.
§ Mr. Harold Walker:I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the plans provide for expenditure to increase from £85 million in 1974–75 to £171 million by 1979 at 1974 prices. Details have been published in the Training Services Agency's five-year plan, which will be updated during the year, and in the Public Expenditure Survey to 1978–79.
§ 34. Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the progress so far made in the five-year plan of the Training Services Agency issued by the Manpower Services Commission in 1974.
§ Mr. Harold Walker:I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that its annual report for 1974–75 is to be presented to my right hon. Friend shortly. Considerable progress has been made in building a constructive partnership with industrial training boards; in establishing the principles of the Employment and Training Act 1973; in expanding the services provided by the Training Opportunities Scheme; and in setting up a wide range of projects for action to meet special training needs and priorities.
359W