HC Deb 11 January 1977 vol 923 cc478-9W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether schools in receipt of Government funds for fees for TOPs courses always repay part of those fees if an individual does not complete the course; and on how many occasions such repayments have been made.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there is no requirement on colleges to make refunds when TOPS trainees fail to complete a course. However, some colleges present their accounts to TSA during the later stages of courses, and charge reduced fees where they consider valid reasons exist for an individual not completing the course.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total cost to public funds of TOPs courses in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there has been no cut in public expenditure for TOPS courses. If the hon. Member is inquiring into the total cost to public funds of TOPS courses, I am informed that in the financial year ended 31st March 1975 this amounted to £58,220,363.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been on TOPs courses in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what percentage did not complete the course; what percentage did not take up a job within one month of completing the course; and what percentage gave up the job they got, following the TOPs courses, within three months.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in the 12-month period ended 30th September 1976, some 83,800 persons successfully completed training courses under the Training Opportunities Scheme. Of the 99,945 people who commenced TOPs courses in the first nine months of 1976, 16,647—16.7 per cent.—terminated training prematurely. I regret that the remaining information is not available in the detail requested. However, a 4 per cent. random sample survey of all those who completed TOPs courses in June and July 1976 showed that in the period up to the end of October 1976, 69 per cent. had found employment, and another 2 per cent. were in, or awaiting, further training.