§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will institute an inquiry as to why there are currently 57 vacancies in the Houndsworth skill-centre, Sheffield, which is nearly 16 per cent. below capacity.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that on 1st December 1975 there were 357 training places at Handsworth Skillcentre, Sheffield and 300 people in training. Sixty-seven peole had been invited to fill vacancies outstanding on 1st December and due to arise in the following five weeks. There were only 17 places to which no one could be allocated.
One hundred per cent. occupancy of skillcentre places is not achievable but the Training Services Agency is taking steps to reduce under occupancy to the lowest acceptable minimum. The national position has improved considerably over the last year.