§ 20. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will investigate what assistance can be given to local authority's direct works departments to enable them to recruit and train building and allied trades apprentices, and thus increase training opportunities for unemployed teenagers.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, under its 1978 special training measures programme, it is discussing with the local government training board the level of grant incentives to local authorities, including those with direct works departments, to enable them to recruit and train additional apprentices consistent with their forward need for construction craftsmen. Local authorities have benefited under similar schemes in 1975, 1976 and 1977.