§ Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the collective funding scheme announced by him in July 1976.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that although the period for consultation on172W the document "Training for Vital Skills" which contained proposals for a collective funding scheme ended on 29th October, comments are still being received. I hope to receive the Commission's recommendations shortly.
§ Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young persons are currently involved in the various Government training schemes; and what is the total cost to the Exchequer.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that financial support for some 42,900 trainees in industry has been made available in the current training year at a total cost of £40.1 million, and 23,161 of these have already commenced training. In addition, on 30th June 1976, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 2,378 unemployed young people attending courses provided or supported directly by the Training Services Agency. The Agency aims to train about 10,000 young people in 1976 at a cost of some £10 million.