Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons under the sponsorship of the Employment Services Office in Northern Ireland have taken the course for heavy goods vehicle driving licences at Class I and at Class III standards during each of the past three years; what has
1975 1976 1977 Completed Courses (1) Class I … … … … … 407 278 60 Class III … … … … … 144 308 432 551 586 492 Passes (2) Class I … … … … … 251 209 52 Class III … … … … … 104 232 347 355 441 399 Costs (3) Fees Paid—Classes I and III … … £110,000 £133,000 £132,000 Allowances Paid—Classes I and III … £43,000 £48,000 £52,000 £153,000 £181,000 £184,000 There are currently 354 unemployed persons who have, during the last three years, successfully completed an HGV Class I or Class III training course provided by the Department of Manpower Services. The 354 unemployed Class I and Class III drivers who have completed the course represent 31 per cent. and 32 per cent. respectively of the total number of unemployed persons having these qualifications.
Currently there are 1,625 persons on the waiting list for these courses.