§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans for new schemes for the retraining of women workers his Department intends to put forward in order to benefit from the special funds available through the social fund of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Golding, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 2nd May 1978; Vol. 949, c. 82], gave the following information:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that grants from the social fund for training and retraining projects amounted to £70.8 million in 1977, but in general these grants were for training available to both men and women. It is hoped that support for training on this basis will continue.
The United Kingdom and some other members of the EEC have agreed to take part in a survey to identify initiatives and measures aimed at achieving equal opportunities by way of vocational guidance and training. This will be completed later in the year. It may lead directly to further ESF applications in respect of training for women; additionally, it will give a basis for a review of current policies in this field.