§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees undertook and passed courses 625W offered by the Underwater Training Centre; what was the average length of each course; and what level of operating capacity was achieved in 1975.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that training in basic air diving and underwater working at the Underwater Training Centre started on 18th August 1975. Courses at this level last 12 weeks and are attended by 10 trainees. Two courses were completed in 1975, with a total of 19 successful trainees. The centre was operating at full capacity for basic air diving training from 10th November 1975, since when a new course has started each month.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what share of expenditure of running the Underwater Training Centre was met respectively by the Government drilling contractors, the oil companies and the trainees in 1975.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the centre's main purpose is to provide mixed gas diving training to meet offshore development needs, and that such training will be provided from later this year. The centre will charge commercial rates but will be non-profitmaking. The Manpower Services Commission is making working capital available, as a loan, until income from fees covers expenses.
Since the centre opened in August 1975 it has provided training for basic air diving, the entry point for newcomers to diving. Fees for trainees sponsored under the Training Services Agency's Training Opportunities Scheme, and for private trainees, represented 40 per cent. and 4 per cent. respectively of the centre's running expenses in 1975. The membership of the first two experimental courses in mixed gas diving will be drawn from trainees sponsored by diving contractors.